Royal Watch News

Prince Charles wishes Antarctic expedition well

Oct 25, 2012, 11:01 GMT

Prince Charles

Prince Charles has personally wished wounded servicemen well as they set off on a journey to the South Pole.

Members of the expedition team, from the Royal Dragoon Guards (RDG), were invited to London to meet the heir to the British throne ahead of setting off to retrace the steps of Scott of the Antarctic. The expedition will raise money for charities including Walking with the Wounded.

Captain Adam Crookshank, Corporal Robbie Harmer and Lance-Corporal Nick Webb were among those who enjoyed the champagne reception with the prince - although he drank tea - and discuss their trek, which starts on November 19.

The expedition will be led by one of the world's most experienced explorers, David Hempleman-Adams, and the team will pull sleds over 140 miles of ice, 100 years after Captain Scott led his expedition.

Captain Crookshank - wounded in his right arm and face by shrapnel - said: 'I've been trying not to get excited about it until a month ago when I realised this is really going to happen.

'To come here is tremendous. I cannot really quantify it. I've respected the Prince of Wales for my entire life and to have him saying to me 'Well done, you're a good guy', just knocks you away.'

Prince Harry had earlier expressed an interest in joining the soldiers on their expedition, but this will now not be possible as he is posted to Afghanistan with the military until next year.