- .Princes William and Harry are opening a new Help for Heroes recovery centre
- .Tedworth House in Tidworth, Wiltshire is one of four new centres
- .Will provide support for injured servicemen and their families
- .Both princes are active members of the armed forces themselves
- .William spoke about his pride in the charity and his excitement over becoming a father
- .Harry got in some uncle practice as he squared up to baby for pretend boxing match
Prince William insisted today he was looking forward to fatherhood - despite the women he meets warning him about sleepless nights.
The second in line to the throne discussed his impending fatherhood when he was given a teddy bear with a babygro emblazoned with the slogan My Daddy Is A Hero during a visit to the Help for Heroes recovery centre for injured troops at Tedworth House in Tidworth, Wiltshire.
'Are you looking forward to it, sir?' asked Corporal Josh Boggi, a triple amputee. 'Very much so," said William, who is due to become a father in mid-July.
Prince William talks with Sergeant Steve Arnold before he and 2 others who have been injured on a tour of duty embarked on a hand bike to launch the 2013 Hero Ride
Prince William talks to Sergeant Steve Arnold (L) as Corporal Claire Edwards (centre) and Corporal Charlie Lemon (R) talk to Prince Harry (R) moments before launching the 'Hero Ride' following the official opening of the centre
Prince Harry has a bit of fighting fun with this young chap as he greeted the crowd, perhaps preparing for his impending role as uncle
But he added: 'All the mothers have been looking at me, "just you wait, just you wait. Long sleepless nights."'
Corporal Boggi, 26, from Binfield, Berkshire, was carrying his two and a half-year-old son Jenson and offered William the chance to have a practice at holding the toddler. 'No, no, you''re very kind,' said William, declining the invitation.
William, Duke of Cambridge, speaks with Staff Sergeant Steve Arnold (L) and Corporal Claire Edwards (R) beside their hand bikes to be used in the Hero Ride
Prince Harry waves a Help for Heroes flag as he starts the 2013 Hero Ride
Asked what advice he would give William, Corporal Boggi, who lost both legs and his right arm in an IED explosion while serving with 9th Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers in Afghanistan on New Year's Eve 2010, said: 'I would just say enjoy every moment of it. It's been the best experience of my life having a little boy.'
Prince Harry, also seemed to be getting in some playful practice in preparation for becoming an uncle for the first time - although maybe not of thw kind his sister-in-law Kate has in mind.
The royal joker squared up to a baby in the crowd and pretend to box him - before thankfully coo-ing over the youngster instead.
The two Princes toured the centre, meeting wounded servicemen and their families including some who took part in the Warrior Games, a Paralympic-style event, in Colorado Springs in the United States which Harry attended last week
Harry was also gifted a 'Help for Heroes' jumper along with one for William and the absent Duchess of Cambridge
William and his brother went to Tedworth House to see the state-of-the art recovery centre, one of four opened by Help for Heroes to aid wounded troops to rebuild their lives after serious injury.
The two brothers formally opened the centre, which occupies a 19th century stately home built on land once owned by King Edward the Confessor.
The brothers, aged 30 and 28, were at Tedworth House in Tidworth, Wiltshire, to officially open the centre and meet dozens of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans.
One of four new centres funded by the charity, it will provide on-going support and world-class facilities for the hundreds of men and women injured in the line or duty each year.
Harry officially launched the 2013 Hero Ride, a fundraising charity bike ride that will see 100 disabled servicemen and women cycling from all over Britain and Paris into London on June 2
Prince Harry shared a joke with Corporal Claire Edwards one of the three who started off the Hero Ride
Prince Harry admires his new Help For Heroes sweatshirt with his name emblazoned on the back, as William speaks of their pride in the charities work
The princes, who have already announced their intention to champion causes involving military personnel as part of their public and charitable duties, also learnt more about the unseen, mental toll that conflict can also take on soldiers, sailors, airmen and veterans.
Help for Heroes, set up in 2007 to support the growing number of servicemen and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with life-changing injuries, has secured a 99-year lease on Tedworth House for £1 a year.
The charity, which has raised £165 million in five and a half years, is spending £7.5 million a year running its four recovery centres at Tidworth, Colchester, Catterick and Plymouth, offering help and support to 50 residents and 50 day visitors in each centre at any one time.
On his US tour, Harry, 28, won himself a reputation as an all-American sport star, excelling at American football and baseball, but didn't fare so well today
Harry seemed to be preparing for his new role as an uncle as he greeted the crowds at the opening
The visit wasn't all laughs as the serious work of Help for Heroes is an issue both Princes care deeply about
The idea is that after receiving treatment initially in hospital and then at Headley Court rehabilitation centre near Leatherhead in Surrey, injured troops go to one of the recovery centres to rebuild their skills and confidence and assess future career options outside the military. A seriously injured soldier typically leaves the forces five years after getting wounded.
The two Princes toured the centre, meeting wounded servicemen and their families including some who took part in the Warrior Games, a Paralympic-style event, in Colorado Springs in the United States which Harry attended last week.
The British team won 20 medals - four golds, seven silvers and nine bronzes - finishing fourth out of six against teams from the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Special Forces.
Prince William and Prince Harry were clearing enjoying themselves during their visit to Tedworth House, a recovery centre run by the Help for Heroes charity that offers care and support to injured service personnel
Prince William was presented with a sweat shirt for his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, during the visit
Aming the British medallists was Grant Harvey, who won a team bronze in the sitting volleyball.
He was with two comrades, Josh Campbell and Stuart Harris, trying out a ski simulator at Tedworth House when the two Princes visited today.
He was with two comrades, Josh Campbell and Stuart Harris, trying out a ski simulator at Tedworth House when the two Princes visited today.
'Have you congratulated him on his medal yet?' Harry asked the other two. When they told him they hadn't had chance yet, the Prince joked: 'Good. Don't.'
On his US tour, Harry, 28, won himself a reputation as an all-American sport star, excelling at American football and baseball. But he blotted his copybook today, trying out netball in a sports hall where injured troops were playing with visiting children. He missed all seven attempts at scoring a goal, hitting the rim of the basket three times but shooting completely wide on the other four occasions.
William, meanwhile, was revealing that he is constantly getting told off about his bad posture. He told Sally Orange, a physical recovery facilitator who has worked as a physio with the Army in Afghanistan: 'I'm always getting told off about my posture and told to stand up straight when I go to see physios.'
Both brothers are themselves active members of the armed forces and are supporters of Help for Heroes charity
Both princes expresses their admiration for the bravery of servicemen and the work done by Help for Heroes during the visit
Before they left, he and Harry officially launched the 2013 Hero Ride, a fundraising charity bike ride that will see 100 disabled servicemen and women cycling from all over Britain and Paris into London on June 2.
The two Princes were presented with Help for Heroes hoodies each with their name on their back as well as one for the Duchess of Cambridge.
In a speech, William said: 'This place – and what Help for Heroes and its partners have done here – makes Harry and me very, very proud. When Harry and I, like so many other young men and women, first donned our Help for Heroes wristbands only six years ago, not even we, as servicemen, could have guessed the scale of the challenges ahead.
'In 2007, the Nation was beginning to wake up to the reality of the debt that it owed its wounded and sick servicemen returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
'The British public’s unprecedented response to the likes of Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion and countless other service charities was a heartfelt response to that sense of debt felt by countless tens of thousands of people – in fact, the whole Nation – who wanted to show support and gratitude.
'Through the partnership between many service charities and the Ministry of Defence, it was the Nation who created this state-of-the-art Recovery Centre at Tedworth House and it falls to the Nation – to all of us – to continue to sustain it.
'The official opening today of this Recovery Centre does not mark the end of a journey – it marks the beginning. The wounded and sick Servicemen, and their families, who so merit the excellent support that Tedworth House offers begin lifelong journeys when they arrive here – journeys into terrain that can be difficult and challenging but ultimately will be fruitful, thanks to the love and expertise of those who work here and who support this place. Those journeys of recovery will be cut short – unforgivably – if we as a Nation unfix our attention.
Prince Harry and Prince William greet officials at the opening of the new Help for Heroes Recovery Centre, Tidworth, Hampshire
Both Princes seemed in good spirits as they arrived at Tedworth House, Tidworth, Wiltshire
Tedworth House in Tidworth, opened by the princes today is one of four new units in England which will offer respite care and rehabilitation for former soldiers and their families
'We must not let the wounded men and women of our Armed Forces down.
'This official opening is therefore, I hope, as much a renewed pledge by all of us to go on supporting those who have sacrificed so much as it is a celebration of an amazing achievement. 'This Recovery Centre, and the others around the country, have come about thanks to the tireless efforts of a very diverse group of people: fundraisers, volunteers, many charities, builders and craftsmen, doctors, civil servants, even journalists.
'You name it, almost every type of profession has contributed in some way. Thank you to all of you. It has also been so gratifying to see the way in which the military and service charities have worked together in genuine partnership and towards a shared goal. '
Tedworth House will accommodate 50 residents, four families and more than 150 day visitors, and is designed to support those wounded while serving their country they rebuild every aspect of their life.
During his speak William said that the country must not let it's servicemen down and expressed thanks to those involve in the charity
It will also help them to prepare for the time they are well enough to leave full-time care, which can prove an extremely daunting step in their recovery.
The visit is a timely one for Harry, in particular, as he has just returned from an overseas royal visit to the USA where he met a team of injured service personnel supported by Help For Heroes competing in the international Warrior Games.
Most of the athletes he met – many of whom had lost two or even three limbs – trained using the facilities at Tedworth House. During his trip the prince told the Mail how moved his was by the bravery, determination and sheer gumption of those involved and vowed to do his best to bring the tournament, which involves events as diverse as cycling, sitting volleyball and archery, to Britain.
In a speech, Prince William told guests: "It is an enormous pleasure to be here at Tedworth House.
'This place, and what Help for Heroes and its partners have done here, makes Harry and me very, very proud.
William and Harry seemed please to meet the staff behind the centre, which is one of four to be opened specifically designed to help injured servicemen and their families
William was shown around the grounds of Tedworth House, before he and Harry meet injured servicemen and hear their stories
'When Harry and I, like so many other young men and women, first donned our Help for Heroes wristbands - only six years ago - not even we, as servicemen, could have guessed the scale of the challenges ahead.
'In 2007 the nation was beginning to wake up to the reality of the debt we owed to its wounded and sick servicemen returning from overseas.
'The British public's unprecedented response to the likes of Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion and countless other service charities was a heartfelt response to that sense of debt felt by countless tens of thousands of people, in fact the whole nation, who wanted to show support and gratitude.'
Inside the gym, William met Lance Corporal Andrew Kennedy, who he served with in the Household Cavalry. Harry was also introduced to L/Cpl Kennedy and together they shot some hoops.
The Prince had seven attempts at the basket with the basketball. Three hit the edge of the ring and bounced out while the other four missed the target.
Help for Heroes is building, equipping and running four recovery centres to provide ongoing support for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, a cause close to Harry's heart
William meets officials behind the centre, which can accommodate 50 residents, four families and more than 150 day visitors
Before departing, William and Harry waved off Staff Sergeant Steve Arnold, Corporal Claire Edwards and Corporal Charlie Lemon, as they rode away on a hand bike to launch the 2013 Hero Ride.
The ride will see cyclists from all corners of the country ride into central London on June 2 to raise funds for Help for Heroes' work.
Mr Parry, chief executive of Help for Heroes, said: 'The Recovery centres, opened by their Royal Highnesses, play a vital role in providing long-term support for serving and veteran members of the armed services who have suffered life-changing injuries and illnesses.
'The centres are here to inspire, enable and support our wounded and their families for the rest of their lives.
'As members of the armed services themselves, their Royal Highnesses understand the sacrifices that everyone who serves is prepared to make for our country.
'Their support has always been key to the success of Help for Heroes and for that we heartily thank them.
'Today, everyone who has supported the charity - from donating £2 for a wristband to joining the Hero Ride or giving professional time and experience - can see just how much they have helped to achieve.
'The war in Afghanistan is drawing to a close but for the men and women who serve in our recent conflicts the battle is only just beginning.
'We at Help for Heroes will battle for them to ensure that they get the very best support, for life.'
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