Kate Middleton joins Captain Preet Chandi on school visit to celebrate Antarctica expedition

The Princess of Wales cut a graceful figure as she visited a university in Derby along with Captain Preet Chandi MBE to celebrate the Army officer’s return from his solo expedition through Antarctica.

Kate, 41, was a patron of Captain Chandi’s expedition, where she broke the world record for the furthest solo unsupported polar ski expedition in history after covering 922 miles in 70 days and 16 hours.

Looking typically elegant, the royal mother-of-three opted for a £69.99 white double breasted blazer from Zara for the engagement. Kate introduced a now-favorite red version of the jacket in 2020.

A visit to Landau Forte College in Captain Chandi’s hometown kicks off the Army officer’s UK-wide tour of schools, during which she will share her story with the next generation.

During today’s outing, Captain Chandi, nicknamed ‘Polar Preet’, gave a speech to the students about their expedition and Kate joined her in presenting an award to Simrat Soggi, one of the winners of the school’s logo contest. officer national.

Kate looked effortlessly chic in the statement jacket, which she paired with navy trousers and a white blouse, as well as £120 recycled Veja sneakers.

Adding a touch of sparkle to her ensemble, the mother of three rocked a pair of dainty earrings, while wearing some glam makeup.

The princess joined the students as they took part in some activities that bring the expedition to life and how Captain Chandi prepared for her, including some examples of how she trained and the types of food she ate.

Kate took off her jacket and tried to pull on the tires and admitted: ‘I need to train a bit.’

Finally, Captain Chandi and Kate talked to a group of Year 11 and Year 13 students about building resilience and mental well-being in all aspects of life.

The princess has long been an advocate of the huge impact the outdoors can have on our well-being and the life skills it fosters, like confidence and resilience.

She is committed to promoting this among young people, including through her work with organizations like Scouts, of which she is co-chair.

Captain Chandi covered 922 miles (1,485 km) in 70 days and 16 hours, breaking the record for the longest solo, unsupported and unassisted expedition in Antarctica, according to the British Army.

The previous world record of 907 miles was set in 2015 by fellow soldier Henry Worsley, a retired lieutenant colonel, who later died after collapsing from exhaustion towards the end of the hike.

Captain Chandi, nicknamed ‘Polar Preet’, failed to complete her goal of going coast to coast, some 100 miles from where she was picked up.

The 33-year-old said: “Mentally, it was hard knowing I didn’t have enough time to cross, but the expedition was about pushing my limits and inspiring others to do the same, so how could I not continue?

“I’m disappointed because my time ran out to cross Antarctica, but I did everything I could. I didn’t take a day off and I tried my best every day. I’m proud that I kept going when it was hard and I thought I couldn’t do more.

Captain Chandi skied 13 to 15 hours a day with as little as five hours of sleep at times.

During the trek, he carried all his equipment and supplies on a sled, which weighed around 120kg, while battling temperatures as low as -30°C and winds of up to 60mph.

Captain Chandi completed the challenge while on leave from the Army, having joined the Army Reserves at the age of 19 and the regular Army at 27.

He is now based in Buckinghamshire, where he works as a physiotherapist with a regional rehabilitation unit, helping wounded soldiers with training and rehabilitation.

A GoFundMe page has raised more than £11,000, half of which will go towards an “adventure scholarship” for women undertaking “unique challenges”, while the other half will go towards Captain Chandi’s upcoming expedition.

Last year, she became the first woman of color to embark on a solo expedition to the continent when she completed a 700-mile (1,127 km) ski to the South Pole in January.

In that challenge, she completed the walk in 40 days, seven hours, and three minutes, becoming the third-fastest woman to complete the feat.

Steve Jones, expedition manager for Antarctic Logistics Expeditions (ALE), said: “Preet’s goal of skiing more than 1,700km across Antarctica solo and without resupply is one of the most physically demanding challenges on Earth.

“Although she ran out of time after nearly 71 grueling days and didn’t complete the last leg of the planned route up Reedy Glacier to the Ross Ice Shelf, she has skied further unaided and alone than anyone in history.

“His indomitable courage and determination are quite remarkable – he has pushed the limits of human endeavor.”

Lieutenant General Sharon Nesmith, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, said: ‘The British Army is immensely proud of Captain Chandi.

“Achieving what you have in the face of extremely arduous conditions and fighting bravely, refusing to give up and being the best you can be is a great inspiration to so many around the world.”