Princess of Wales Sponsors British Woman’s Solo Antarctic Expedition

In a continuation of a century-old royal tradition, the Princess of Wales has become the patron of a campaign supporting Captain Preet Shandy's attempt to become the first woman to solo across Antarctica.

The official sponsorship was announced on Wednesday, as Captain Shandy sets out on her unsupported 1,000-mile journey.

Having already made history by becoming the first person of color to reach the South Pole unassisted in January 2021, the British Army Medical Officer is now aiming to complete her solo expedition.

Captain Shandy will face extreme weather conditions in Antarctica, including wind speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and temperatures as low as minus 50 Celsius.

She will also be pulling a sledge weighing approximately 120 kilograms, packed with all her necessary equipment.

With a time frame of 75 days, Captain Shandy embarked on her trek at the beginning of November, pushing herself to accomplish this remarkable challenge.

The Prince and Princess of Wales expressed their support and pride for Captain Shandy's expedition on their joint Instagram account.

They stated that Catherine, the Princess of Wales, is honored to be the patron of Act Polar Preet's historic endeavor to become the first woman to cross Antarctica solo and unsupported.

Captain Shandy herself shared her goal of inspiring others to push their boundaries and believe that nothing is impossible.

She expressed her privilege in having the Princess of Wales as her patron, highlighting Catherine's advocacy for the positive impact of outdoor activities on well-being.

Captain Shandy's previous achievement in January 2021 made her the first woman of color to reach the South Pole alone and without assistance.

Completing the route in 40 days, she fell just short of the female world record set by Joanna Davison of Sweden, who completed it in 38 days.

As a physiotherapist in Buckinghamshire, Captain Shandy treats injured troops and commanders in a regional rehabilitation unit.

Being an Indian Sikh born in Britain, she hopes her groundbreaking expeditions will inspire other Asian women.

Captain Shandy's journey to self-acceptance has not been without its challenges.

In her teenage years, she faced discrimination and humiliation due to her appearance.

However, she has now embraced her roots, culture, and identity as a woman of color.

She aims to challenge stereotypes and change perceptions of what a polar explorer should look like.

Her passion for sports and competition led her to leave home at 14 to pursue tennis, eventually joining the Novak Djokovic Academy in the Czech Republic.

She is also an accomplished ultra-marathon runner, having completed grueling challenges such as the 156-mile Marathon de Sables across the Sahara Desert.

The royal family has a long-standing tradition of supporting expeditions, dating back to King Edward VII's endorsement of Scott's Discovery Expedition in 1901 and Shackleton's Nimrod in 1907.

Queen Elizabeth II was the patron of the 1956 Commonwealth Transatlantic Expedition, and Prince Philip became the first member of the royal family to cross the Antarctic Circle.

Princess Anne, the patron of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, has also made visits to Antarctica.

The news of Princess Catherine's patronage comes at a time when she and Prince William have experienced significant stress and pressure.

Following their move from Kensington Palace to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, the couple hoped for a settling-in period.

However, the unexpected death of Queen Elizabeth II shortly after their relocation added to their already challenging circumstances.

Despite these difficulties, they remain committed to their new life and have sought to live below the radar in their new residence.

In conclusion, the Princess of Wales's sponsorship of Captain Preet Shandy's solo Antarctic expedition marks a significant milestone in both their journeys.

Captain Shandy's determination to overcome challenges and inspire others aligns with the royal family's longstanding support for exploration and adventure.

The Princess of Wales's patronage reflects her commitment to promoting the positive impact of outdoor activities on well-being and her dedication to various charitable causes.