A charity cofounder who met Prince William said the experience was “surreal” and “like a movie.”

Sayce Holmes-Lewis is the cofounder of Mentivity, an organization that aims to empower young people through youth services including mentorship programs.

Speaking exclusively to Us Weekly on Friday, April 25, Holmes-Lewis opened up about William’s visit to Mentivity House in South London on Thursday, April 24.

William, 42, met young people supported by the organization, and some of them offered their opinions about what the royal should do when he ascends the throne, Holmes-Lewis told Us.

Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images Prince William has been preparing for his role as king his whole life, and he has big ideas when it comes to the monarchy’s future. William is first in line for the British throne behind his father, King Charles III, who assumed the position following Queen Elizabeth II‘s death in September 2022. […]

“I’ll be totally honest, I think the young people were mentoring Prince William. They were giving him advice and telling him what he should do. And if he was king, when he becomes king, he should do this,” Holmes-Lewis said.

He added that William’s visit was “life-changing” for the young people Mentivity supports.

During the visit, Holmes-Lewis and Mentivity cofounder Leon Wright spoke with William about their upbringing on the Aylesbury Estate, where the organization is based, and how it shaped their approach to supporting young people.

“It was just an honor to be able to do this because William and I are the same age,” Holmes-Lewis told Us.

“And it was just like someone that I’ve seen on the TV is now standing beside me, asking me about my work and my story and my life. And it was just powerful,” he added.

William also took part in a roundtable discussion with Mentivity and other local businesses about the value of apprenticeships and the barriers facing young people to gaining better opportunities.

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Holmes-Lewis said William was vocal during the roundtable, offering his encouragement and support to the organization.

“It was just amazing that Prince William said, ‘I want to get you guys to the next level. You need to be national, and I’m gonna do everything I can to support you on this journey,’” Holmes-Lewis recalled.

He added that he was able to feel the “legacy” of William’s late mother, Princess Diana.

“That is a testament to him, and the legacy of his mother, because we all loved his mom. It was good to actually feel that legacy, you know, through him,” Holmes-Lewis said.