A brrrr-royal expedition: Prince Harry shivers in giant freezer as he prepares for trek to South Pole

 
Wrap up: Harry was subjected to temperatures of up to minus 35C

The next time he endures temperatures this cold Prince Harry will be on his way to the South Pole.

The fourth in line to the throne emerged this morning from 20 gruelling hours inside a giant freezer compartment where the thermometer read minus 35 centigrade and a wind machine created 45 mph gales.

The Prince was with his team of three injured former British servicemen and one woman who will race US and Commonwealth groups to the “bottom of the world” in November and December.

Bit chilly: Harry and co spent up to 20 hours in the giant fridge
Getty Images

Inside the cold chamber at Nuneaton in Warwickshire - normally used to test cars and military vehicles - they practiced routines such as putting up and packing up their tents.

Harry, who is patron of the Walking with the Wounded charity organising the trek, said the the worst part of the test was "going in."

He was with Capt. Ibrar Ali, Sgt. Duncan Slater, Capt. Guy Disney and Major. Kate Philip - together known as Team Glenfiddich - all of whom lost limbs serving in Afghanistan, Sgt Slater lost both his legs and will be the first double amputee to trek to the South Pole.

The sessions was designed to replicate as far as possible the immensely harsh conditions the team will face on their 15 day trek across 200 miles of Antarctic ice.

Break: Time for a chocolate biscuit
REUTERS

The party used exercise bikes to simulate skiing for twelve hours with just a 10 minute break every two hours.

The recreation of polar conditions was also designed to test clothing specially designed for the injured personnel to minimise the risk of them suffering frost-bite.

With wind chill temperatures inside the MIRA testing facility fell to as low as minus 55 degrees centigrade. The team were only allowed to consume high energy snacks and hot drinks to replicate their diet in the Antarctic.

After he emerged the prince blew into his hands and rubbed them together to warm up as he chatted with his teammates over tea and biscuits.

It will the second expedition that the Prince has joined since taking on his role with the charity.

In 2011 he joined a trek to the North Pole for five days although he had to pull out before completing the journey to attend his brother’s wedding.

He missed out on an attempt to conquer Mount Everest with the group last year because of his military commitments.

The team depart for Antarctica via South Africa on 16 November. They will acclimatise and make final preparations for the Virgin Money South Pole Allied Challenge before being flown to 87 degrees latitude to begin the race.

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