Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, reflects on 15 years since Walking With The Wounded’s North Pole expedition

April marks 15 years since a remarkable moment in Walking With The Wounded’s history—when a team of injured veterans, joined by Expedition Patron Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, reached the geographical North Pole.

On 16 April 2011, the team set out on a 200-mile journey across one of the harshest environments on Earth. Battling temperatures as low as -60°C and pulling their supplies in pulks, they completed the challenge in just 13 days—three days ahead of schedule.

Their achievement was extraordinary. Not only did they cover the greatest distance of any polar expedition that season, but they also secured a world record as the first unsupported team of injured veterans to reach the North Pole.

The expedition became a defining moment for Walking With The Wounded. It raised vital funds for the charity, brought national attention to the charity’s work, and challenged perceptions of what injured veterans can achieve beyond military service.

The team included Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, alongside Expedition Leader and polar expert Inge Solheim, Walking With The Wounded Founder Ed Parker, Simon Daglish, and wounded servicemen Captain Guy Disney, Sergeant Steve Young, Private Jaco Van Gass and Captain Martin Hewitt.

Reflecting on the 15-year anniversary, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, said,

"I was honoured to join Walking With The Wounded as Expedition Patron to the North Pole in 2011. The veteran march across the ice served as a powerful reminder of the tenacity and courage of those who serve and who’ve been injured in the line of duty.

Fifteen years on, I remain immensely proud of what these guys accomplished with WWTW. This incredible expedition helped change public perception at such a crucial time. It shone a light on the importance of supporting those who served, and it encouraged thousands more veterans to speak up and come forward.

It's always a privilege to stand alongside the veteran community and to support the vital work of Walking With The Wounded.”

Fifteen years later, WWTW continues to support veterans and their families across the UK, providing employment support, mental health care and wraparound care coordination to empower those who have served. However, there are still veterans who need our support.