The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit Christian charity XLP next Friday to hear about the struggles facing inner-city young people.

The urban youth charity said Prince William and Kate will listen to personal stories about life growing up among gangs, violence and poverty.

Chief executive and founder of XLP, Patrick Regan thanked the royal couple for their "encouragement and support" which he said was "immensely important to us". He will use the opportunity to highlight a recent rise in the number of stabbings and deaths due to knife crime, which is up 18 per cent.

The charity runs a mentoring programme for teenagers involved in gangs, crime and anti-social behaviour. The Duke and Duchess will meet mentors involved in the scheme and young people.

Regan said: "We need long-term trusted mentoring relationships to help the next generation come through these challenges, build strong families and finally escape poverty and social deprivation.

"We're in this for the long-haul and to see the greatest impact."

The initiative is one of a number of projects by XLP to tackle gang culture, anger management and violence, racism, image and identity.

The Duke and Duchess will meet Sephton, one of their mentees who has had several stints in prison because of a "series of poor life choices", according to a statement from XLP. 

The statement continued: "His family life was broken and chaotic. Anger and frustration caused ever more difficult behaviour resulting in exclusion from school without qualifications, and involvement in violence and criminal activities."

However as a result of the mentoring programme, XLP said he faces a "different and better future".

Sephton said: "XLP came in and showed me love, compassion and time, something I'd never been given before."