Prince Harry's arctic trek delayed by weather

Britain's Prince Harry's arctic trek has been hit by delays.

The third-in-line to the throne - who is joining four wounded soldiers for the start of a 200-mile expedition to the North Pole to raise money for injured troops - is due to depart the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen today (04.03.11) after Friday's (01.04.11) flight to Borneo Ice Airfield was postponed because of gale-force winds.

After the initial delay the team were supposed to fly to the airfield yesterday (03.04.11) but the building of the runway had to be put back because of the weather conditions.

A St James's Palace spokesman said the prince was anxious to start the trek, which he will take part in until Thursday (07.03.11), for charity Walking With the Wounded, of which he is patron.

He said: "Prince Harry, like the rest of the team, is desperate to start the trek. He's chomping at the bit to put his training into practice."

The royal joined soldiers Captain Guy Disney, Private Jaco Van Gass, Captain Martin Hewitt and Sergeant Steve Young in Spitsbergen last week for training , and has since asked them to call him "H".

Martin, who is paralysed in his right arm after being shot in 2007, said: "We all called him HRH to start with but he said immediately, 'Just call me H'.

"We know the expedition's going to be tough. But it has already been hard. There's no alcohol or girls. But we know what we're doing is important."

Steve, who broke his back in an explosion in 2009 added: "You hear these stories about him being a playboy prince but he's really dedicated and focused."