Inside Harry's tent: Newly-released photograph shows bearded prince relaxing with his team during South Pole trek

  • Harry says they hope to reach South Pole on Friday 13th - 'lucky for us'
  • Spirits are high after decision to suspend competitive element of the trek
  • Some 12 injured service personnel are taking part in WWTW expedition

By Mark Duell

PUBLISHED: 14:32 EST, 12 December 2013 | UPDATED: 18:15 EST, 12 December 2013


Prince Harry was today seen relaxing with team members in a break during his expedition as he revealed they hope to arrive at the South Pole tomorrow.

The 29-year-old royal and the other adventurers were nearing the end of their gruelling 200-mile trek across Antarctica with their goal almost in sight.

Harry, who is patron of the Walking With The Wounded expedition, said: ‘A half day on Friday and we get to the South Pole on Friday 13th - unlucky for some, lucky for us.

Taking a break: Prince Harry (left) and Team UK as they rest during the Walking With The Wounded trek

Taking a break: Prince Harry (left) and Team UK as they rest during the Walking With The Wounded trek

‘The wind has dropped down, which is nice. I think everyone is feeling a bit tired but slowly getting into the rhythm. Only just got into the rhythm now and it has almost finished.’

Harry said spirits are high after the decision to suspend the competitive element of the trek. He was part of a British group racing to the South Pole against teams from the Commonwealth and the US.

 

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But the competition was stopped over the weekend after some of the adventurers, who include injured servicemen and women, became very tired after encountering difficult terrain.

Ed Parker, the expedition's director and co-founder of the WWTW charity that organised the challenge, said: ‘Everyone is beginning to get quite excited, we can see the end in sight now.

Teamwork: Prince Harry with Heath Jamieson (left) during the expedition. The royal and the other adventurers are nearing the end of their gruelling 200-mile trek across Antarctica with their goal almost in sight

Teamwork: Prince Harry with Heath Jamieson (left) during the expedition. The royal and the other adventurers are nearing the end of their gruelling 200-mile trek across Antarctica with their goal almost in sight

‘Everyone is thinking quite a lot about the journey that's behind us and it is not just the last three weeks up here in Antarctica but the year it has taken us to get here.

'The wind has dropped down, which is nice. I think everyone is feeling a bit tired but slowly getting into the rhythm'

Prince Harry

‘A lot of people have overcome many injuries and issues to be here. It feels very special that this group of people is finally on the cusp of achieving our aim.’

In a voice blog recorded in the frozen waste and released yesterday, Harry said: ‘Everyone is in really high spirits. The race obviously got cancelled a couple of days ago - a really good thing that has happened.’

Looking ahead to reaching their goal, Harry highlighted fellow adventurer Duncan Slater who lost both his legs when an improvised explosive device blew up in his vehicle in Afghanistan in 2009.

Happy: Prince Harry said spirits are high after the decision to suspend the competitive element of the trek

Happy: Prince Harry said spirits are high after the decision to suspend the competitive element of the trek

He said: ‘Everyone just can't wait to get to the end. I think mixed emotions probably, I think some people, for instance Duncan, double amputee, simply doesn't find walking to the South Pole a big enough challenge, which is why he really enjoyed the race.

'I think everyone back home will appreciate the fact that just being able to walk 100km in these conditions with no legs is a pretty amazing feat in itself'

Prince Harry

‘I think everyone back home will appreciate the fact that just being able to walk 100km (62 miles) in these conditions with no legs is a pretty amazing feat in itself.’

In total, 12 injured service personnel who have overcome life-changing injuries are taking part in the expedition organised by the charity Walking With The Wounded.

Trekking around nine to 12 miles (15km to 20km) a day, the group members have been pulling their 154lb (70kg) sleds, known as pulks, towards the southernmost point on the globe.

Comments (9)

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Pfft.. I thought this was about Harry Styles.

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He is beginning to look like Henry VIII - dont worry Harry, I mean WITHOUT/BEFORE the girth developed.

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I love Harry...he's the best.....

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Looking good Harry! Best of luck on your mission with such a fine group of men. A commendable adventure. Godspeed.

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The beard suits him.

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Have a lot of respect for this guy... Go on Son!!!

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....."seen relaxing with team members" .........stop showing this "staged" nonsense!!! not impressed

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...and...??

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How about pictures of the sas security teams tent....oh we arent allowed that as we are supposed to think hes an average guy doing this alone. Wheres the sedan chair those other chappies use to carry this sponger on?

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