The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are due to attend the UK film premiere of War Horse.
Also attending alongside Flight Lieutenant William Wales and his wife, who celebrates her 30th birthday on Monday, are 600 serving and ex-service personnel and their families and beneficiaries of military charities.
Their presence at the premiere of the Steven Spielberg blockbuster at the Odeon Leicester Square is in aid of The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry, of which Kate is also a patron.
The evening comes as the Princes' Foundation, which is committed to supporting current and former service personnel, announces a partnership with The Forces in Mind Trust (FIMT) , backed by £35m of funding from the Big Lottery Fund.
The Trust aims to help armed service veterans who struggle with the transition to civilian life, including those whose psychological wellbeing affects their quality of life and that of others around them.
Nick Booth, CEO of The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry , told Sky News: "Taking a direct lead from our patrons, we are committed to ensuring those who have given so much serving their country, are in turn given as much support as they and their families need to reintegrate into civilian society."
With the help of £35m from the Big Lottery Fund , FIMT will set up a ground-breaking programme of expertly designed interventions and activities not only improving the lives of ex-service personnel, but informing national policy too.
Approximately 20,000 personnel leave the armed forces each year.
"There is so much more we can and should do to support their transition and the work of the Trust will pinpoint gaps and deliver improvements to benefit veterans and their families," Big Lottery Fund UK chairman Peter Ainsworth said.
Since 2004, The Big Lottery Fund has given more than £88m to veterans' projects.
Chairman of FIMT Air Vice-Marshall Tony Stables said: "As a first step, FIMT will undertake a comprehensive review of the transition process from military service to civilian life of all servicemen and women and their families."


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