Prince William and Prince Harry joined forces to turn derelict houses in Manchester into homes for ex-service personnel on Wednesday. The royal brothers were given hard hats with 'William' and 'Harry' written on them as they prepared to get handy with the BBC's DIY SOS team for the final stages of the renovation project.
© Photo: Getty ImagesHarry, the founder of the Invictus Games for disabled veterans, is passionate about helping ex-servicemen and women make the transition to civilian life.
During the visit the sporty Princes helped put the finishing touches to the houses alongside ex-servicemen and women, who are developing skills in a new trade. The Princes also met the street's existing residents.
The Big Build: Veteran's Special will renovate eight buildings, streetscape an entire street and rejuvenate the façade of 62 houses – as well as build a training and counselling centre on the site.
© Photo: PAPrinces William and Harry will help turn a street of derelict houses into homes
Former servicemen make up many of Britain's homeless at the same time as there are half a million empty properties in England.
Harry, who celebrated his 31st birthday recently, has been making the transition to civvy street himself. After leaving the military he spent the summer in Africa drawing attention to conservation and wildlife issues. The dashing Prince still didn't appear to have lost the tan or the beard he acquired in the last few months.
William, meanwhile, has been balancing his royal duties with his job as a pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance, a role he started in June after paternity leave.
The brothers were joined by the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, for the spectacular opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup at the weekend. Enjoying her first big night out since welcoming Princess Charlotte in May, Kate dazzled in a £325 electric blue Reiss coat.
