The Princess of Wales has become the patron of an Army officer’s ambitious goal to be the first woman to cross Antarctica solo and unsupported.
Kate is formally backing Captain Preet Chandi’s challenge of travelling more than 1,000 miles across the frozen continent.
Kate wished Kate luck with her expedition and spoke to Kate via the telephone on Tuesday.
The officer will be hauling a 120kg sledge loaded with her kit, and she will have to bear temperatures as low as minus 50C.
I want to take people along on this journey, to make them believe that there is no impossible.
Captain Preet Chandi
Capt Chandi has 75 days left to complete her journey and will start her trek at November’s beginning. “My aim for this expedition has always been to inspire people to push their boundaries.
“I want to bring people on this journey with me, to help them believe that nothing is impossible.
“It is an absolute privilege to have the Princess of Wales as the patron.”
Kate is a longtime advocate of the benefits of the outdoors on others’ wellbeing and the life skills that it nurtures (such as resilience and confidence).
The first woman of color to reach the South Pole alone and unsupported was the officer in January 2021.
She completed the route in 40 days. This is just one day short of Joanna Davidson’s 38-day female record.
Capt Chandi works as a physiotherapist at the Regional Rehabilitation Unit in Buckinghamshire. This unit provides rehabilitation for soldiers and officers who have been injured.