Prince William and Prince Harry, together with their respective wives Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, are now well-known for their charity patronages and fundraising for many diverse causes. The royal bothers both had military careers before they stepped up their duties as senior royals, and supporting the armed forces continues to be a cause close to their hearts. However, in their younger days they both made secret charity visits, according to royal author Katie Nicholl. Related articles Meghan Markle WARNING: How 'off-message Duchess could get into trou... Meghan Markle follows Queen by doing something Kate never has Her 2018 book ‘Harry: Life, Loss and Love’ delves into the princes’ lives behind the scenes. Ms Nicholl reveals how, in April 2008, William and Harry “made a number of secret visits to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham to spend time with wounded soldiers and their families.” Harry also visited Royal Marine Ben McBean at a recovery centre in Surrey. McBean told Ms Nicholl: “He was very inspiring. Prince Harry and Prince William (Image: Getty) Prince Harry and Prince William pictured in 2008 (Image: Getty) “He’s shown us massive support, and I think over the years people have seen just how much he’s done. “He puts in the graft and he’s changed a lot of people’s lives.” At this time, the royal brothers also helped to jump-start the Help for Heroes charity campaign, which raises funds for injured servicemen and women. Ms Nicholl writes: “William and Harry catapulted the charity into a different sphere altogether. Prince Harry was welcomed home form deployment in Afrghanistan in 2008 by William and Prince Charles (Image: Getty) “When both princes wore the charity’ wristbands at a football match, it swiftly became a household name.” Bryn Parry, founder of Help for Heroes, also told Ms Nicholl: “[Harry] and William led the way, really. They’re not a couple of Lifeguard officers who don’t really know what being a soldier is like. “They are very empathetic. They might be princes, but they understand.” However, Ms Nicholl reports how the princes eschewed the limelight. Once they had done had done their charity work, she says, “stepped back into the shadows and returned to their military careers.”All rights reserved for this news site express.co.uk and under his responsibility