London Evening Standard/London
Prince Harry was yesterday unveiled as the patron of another gruelling expedition by wounded servicemen, as he attempts to rebuild his image after being pictured partying naked in Las Vegas.
The prince, 27, has agreed to champion a race to the South Pole between teams of British, US and Commonwealth service personnel injured in the line of duty.
The announcement comes ahead of Harry’s planned attendance at the Paralympics.
As a GB ambassador he is expected to go to a number of events, though not today’s opening ceremony.
The four-week race, in November and December next year, will see three teams, each with four wounded members, defy temperatures of minus 45 degrees Celsius and wind speeds of 50mph as they pull 70kg sledges across the snow and ice to the pole.
It follows a successful assault on the North Pole in April last year — which Harry joined for part of the trek — and an unsuccessful bid to conquer Everest, which had to be abandoned close to the summit due to the risk of avalanches.
Ed Parker, co-founder of Walking with the Wounded, said Harry had needed little persuasion to become patron and there was a chance he could join the trip if his diary allowed.
Parker said: “He is a soldier, and a very dedicated soldier. He has a huge amount of empathy with his fellow soldiers. He knows with the position he is in he is able to help raise awareness of our wounded.
“He also believes very strongly that for our wounded to embrace a challenge ... and set themselves new goals is a hugely important part of their rehabilitation.”
Recruitment for the teams starts next month, with entrants sought from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as the UK. The charity is seeking £1.5mn of corporate sponsorship.