Princess Kate Middleton Celebrates Record-Breaking Expedition with Capt Preet Chandigarh MBE
On Wednesday, Princess Kate Middleton visited Landau Forte College in Derby to celebrate the return of Captain Preet Chandigarh MBE from her solo expedition across Antarctica.[0] With her, she broke the world record for the furthest unsupported solo polar expedition in history, covering 922 miles in 70 days and 16 hours.[1]
The 41-year-old wife of Prince William was a patron of Chandi’s endeavor, during which she skied for 13 to 15 hours a day while carrying her supplies on a 265-lbs.[1] Braving the frigid temperatures of -22 °F, they[2] To complete the expedition, Chandi also had to pull a sledge weighing 120kg.[3]
The Princess wore a cream blazer from Zara which she paired with navy blue trousers, and Veja trainers, the ‘Campo Chromefree leather white natural’ pair which retail at £140 online.[4] She also pulled two 44lb tyres that were attached to a harness which helped Chandi’s training.[5]
During the visit, the Princess addressed the students, saying: “She’s been a huge inspiration, I’m sure, to all of you and certainly to me. And it’s been great to see her journey and what she’s achieved in the years that she’s been working towards this incredible goal.”[5]
Chandi, who joined the Army Reserves at the age of 19 and the regular Army at 27, had previously become the first woman of colour to embark on a solo expedition on the continent when she completed a 700-mile (1,127km) ski to the South Pole in 40 days in January last year, a feat which earned her the MBE.[6]
The Princess, who was joined by Capt Chandi in presenting an award to Simrat Soggi, one of the winners of Preet’s national school logo competition, said: “I need to do some training,” after the exercise, according to the Daily Mail.[6] She added: “I’m proud of myself, I kept going when it was tough, when I thought I couldn’t do any more.[7] I wanted to continue to push my boundaries and hopefully inspire others to do the same.[2]
0. “Kate Middleton Welcomes Captain Preet Chandi After Solo Expedition Across Antarctica” Harper’s BAZAAR, 8 Feb. 2023, https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a42800592/kate-middleton-captain-preet-chandi/
1. “The Princess Of Wales celebrates a record breaker” Royal Central, 9 Feb. 2023, https://royalcentral.co.uk/uk/walesfamily/the-princess-of-wales-celebrates-a-record-breaker-186327/
2. “Kate Middleton Hugs Preet Chandi After Antarctica Expedition” PEOPLE, 8 Feb. 2023, https://people.com/royals/kate-middleton-meets-preet-chandi-following-antarctica-expedition/
3. “‘I need to do some training!’: Kate admits her fitness levels need work after attempting tyre pulls during…” LBC, 8 Feb. 2023, https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/i-need-to-do-some-training-kate-admits-her-fitness-levels-need-work-after-attemp/
4. “Kate Middleton in Derby live: Princess of Wales meets Polar Preet on royal visit at Landau Forte College” Derbyshire Live, 8 Feb. 2023, https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/derby-news/kate-middleton-derby-live-princess-8124187
5. “Princess of Wales hails record-breaker ‘Polar Preet’ calls her ‘an inspiration to others’” Garavi Gujarat, 9 Feb. 2023, https://www.gg2.net/princess-of-wales-hails-record-breaker-polar-preet-calls-her-an-inspiration-to-others
6. “Princess of Wales hails ‘incredible’ Polar Preet during school visit” The Independent, 8 Feb. 2023, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/wales-antarctica-derby-princess-of-wales-army-b2278300.html
7. “Beaming Kate Middleton is a modern Princess as she rocks trainers on school visit” OK! magazine, 8 Feb. 2023, https://www.ok.co.uk/royal/kate-middleton-school-derby-antarctica-29164964
