WHAT HAPPENED WHEN PRINCE WILLIAM SOLD THE BIG ISSUE
Less than a week after tens of thousands packed The Mall and a global audience of hundreds of millions celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with the royal family, only a 15-minute walk from Buckingham Palace, Prince William is standing outside a supermarket and passers-by are passing by.
He’s still wearing a bright red uniform like he had on for Trooping the Colour and watching the noisy flypast. But instead of a ceremonial military outfit and medals, it’s a Big Issue tabard and badge.
Next to him stands Dave Martin, a veteran vendor who volunteered to show the Duke of Cambridge the ropes and give a glimpse into the life of a Big Issue vendor.
Dave knows this pitch well. A decade ago, Rochester Row in Victoria was one of the places he sold magazines when he first came to The Big Issue for the opportunity to work his way off the streets. He’s adept at putting the new recruit at his ease. After donning his tabard, William is handed a bundle of magazines and briefed on how to accept cash and card payments, then the pair set off.
At first, business is slow. Nobody takes much notice of the vendors – a feeling familiar to many who make their living on the streets – but Dave shares some selling tips and soon the sales start coming.
A Royal Mail employee, who probably spotted some family resemblance from stamps, is one of the first customers. There are double-takes and swerving bike couriers rubbernecking as the vendor is increasingly identified. A
