Prince William and Prince Harry will take part in a very hands-on engagement on Wednesday, where they will help turn a street of derelict houses into homes for ex-service personnel. The royal brothers will join the BBC's DIY SOS team in Manchester to help builders and hundreds of volunteers with the final stages of a renovation project.
William and Harry will champion a cause close to their hearts – helping ex-servicemen and women make the transition to a civilian life and provide them with a house post-conflict.
During the visit the sporty Princes will help put the finishing touches to houses and build alongside ex-servicemen and women, who are developing skills in a new trade post-war. William and Harry will also meet the street's existing residents.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrinces William and Harry will help turn a street of derelict houses into homes
The Big Build: Veteran's Special will renovate eight buildings, streetscape an entire street and rejuvenate the façade of 62 houses for ex-military personnel. These personnel account for a large percentage of the homeless in Britain and at the same time, there are currently over half a million empty properties in England.
Part of the project will also involve building a support centre on the street run by Walking With The Wounded and the Royal British Legion, to assist ex-servicemen and women with retraining. It will also provide on-site support for those who have been injured – mentally or physically – while in the Armed Forces.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince William's wife Kate made her gradual return to the spotlight last week, attenting the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony
Harry, who set up the Invictus Games in the UK last year to supported wounded military personnel, is making a gradual return to the spotlight. The 31-year-old Prince has recently returned to his native London following a summer in Africa, where he volunteered on various conservation projects.
William, meanwhile, has been balancing his royal duties with his job as a co-pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance, a role he started in June after paternity leave.
The Queen's grandsons and William's wife the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, were also reunited on Friday to attend the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup. Enjoying her first big night out since welcoming Princess Charlotte in May, Kate dazzled in a £325 electric blue Reiss coat.
