Prince Harry has launched a 400km trek across the Oman desert to mark the 10th anniversary of the Walking with the Wounded charity which raises money for sick and injured veterans.
The expedition, which will take place at the end of this year in partnership with the Omani armed forces, will chart a path through Oman’s Empty Quarter.
The Walk of Oman will see the team of veterans follow in the footsteps of legendary British desert explorer and soldier Sir Wilfred Thesiger as they trek 20km per day in temperatures as high as 35 degrees Celsius.
"At the end of this year, a year that has seen unprecedented global challenges, a group of veterans will be tackling a challenge unlike anything they've faced before," Prince Harry said.
"Facing searing temperatures and pulling a cart that weighs more than three times their own body weight, these veterans will need to summon incredible physical and mental strength.
"I am proud once again to support them and support the veterans whose courage, determination and resilience is a credit to all of us who have served.
"To the men and women selected for this team, good luck. I know people all over the world will be cheering you on."
It is not yet clear if the Duke of Sussex will join the three-week expedition after accompanying previous treks with the charity to the North and South Poles in the past.
He has been the patron of Walking with the Wounded since it was founded in 2010, just one of the prince’s charitable endeavours to help armed forces veterans. He also founded the Invictus Games for injured service personnel and veterans in 2014.
Details of the selection process for the expedition team will be announced later this year, The Telegraph reported.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from their roles as senior royals at the end of March. They are now based in California.
-
Prince Harry poses with members of the Walking With The Wounded team in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace after the Walk Of Britain on November 1, 2015 in London, England. Six members of the Walk of Britain team concluded their 1000-mile trek, which began on 22 August in Scotland and continued through the length and breadth of the country to London. WPA Pool / Getty Images -
Prince Harry, patron of Team UK in the Virgin Money South Pole Allied Challenge 2013 expedition, and Dominic West make notes of how much each individual and their kit weighs, during preparations in Novo, Antarctica, November 23, 2013. WWTW via Getty Images -
The Walking with the Wounded trek on day one of the South Pole Allied Challenge, December 3, 2013. Participants raced across three degrees to the South Pole, trekking around 15km to 20km per day and enduring temperatures as low as minus 45C. WWTW via Getty Images -
Prince Harry, patron of Team UK in the Virgin Money South Pole Allied Challenge 2013 expedition, pulling the pulk which is guiding US team member Ivan Castro, who is blind, as he takes part in ski training near Novo, Antarctica, November 25, 2013. -
Prince Harry and Ivan Castro touch the pole as they and their fellow adventurers reach the South Pole as part of their Walking With The Wounded charity trek on December 13, 2013 in Antartica. WWTW via Getty Images -
Prince Harry (back row 4th R) poses with members of Team UK, Team Commonwealth and Team US as they reach the South Pole as part of their Walking With The Wounded charity trek on December 13, 2013 in Antartica. WWTW via Getty Images -
Prince Harry attends the Walking with the Wounded Homecoming media reception at BAFTA on April 26, 2011 in London, England. He joined a group of wounded servicemen for four days during a 13-day trek across the polar ice cap. WPA Pool/Getty Images -
The Walking with the Wounded team training for their trek to the North Pole in 2011, on the Norwegian Island of Spitsbergen, Norway. WPA Pool/Getty Images -
Prince Harry tries out an immersion suit on the island of Spitsbergen, situated between the Norwegian mainland and the North Pole, during the last days of preparation before setting off to the North Pole on foot, on March 30, 2011. WPA Pool/Getty Images
