As the 1,000-day countdown to the Olympics approaches tomorrow, I learn that Princes William and Harry are poised to sign up to the army of London 2012 Olympic volunteers.
The Princes will join 70,000 members of the public who have offered to work in essential roles - such as giving directions to spectators, handing out maps and clearing up rubbish.
Sources close to the young royals say they are keen to get involved on a practical level, not least because their aunt, Princess Anne, is a member of the organising committee. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) say they need thousands of people to volunteer to deal with the half-a-million visitors expected to descend on the capital.
Talks are already under way with LOCOG about what precisely their role with be. The problem, of course, is that if the Princes show their faces anywhere they are likely to get mobbed.
Says one aide: 'The queue to ask them directions could get longer than the Olympic stadium.' Despite the obvious drawbacks, however, I am assured they will both have upfront roles of some kind.