Prince Harry launches Oman trek for wounded veterans

400km Trek across Oman’s Empty Quarter will raise money for Walking with the Wounded charity

A handout image made available by Oman News Agency (ONA) shows Britain's Prince Harry being welcomed by Omani Minister of Culture and Heritage Sayyid Haitham Bin Tariq Al Said, upon his arrival in OmaShow more

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.