Prince Harry spends night in giant freezer for South Pole trek

Royal subjected to -35C temperatures in preparation for trip to Antarctica to compete in South Pole charity challenge.

Prince Harry has spent the night in a giant freezer to simulate the gruelling conditions he will face when he treks to the South Pole this winter, "The Guardian" reports.

The 29-year-old, who will race with a team of injured British servicemen and women against US and Commonwealth groups, was subjected to ambient temperatures of -35C (-31F), with wind speeds of 45mph.

Prince Harry leaves a tent during a cold chamber training exercise with the Walking with the Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge British team Photograph: Wpa Pool/Getty Images

Harry, patron of the Walking with the Wounded charity, joked that it was a cold night's sleep. When asked what was the worst part, he said: "Going in."

The prince spent about 20 hours in the cold chamber at Mira in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, where cars and military vehicles are put through their paces.

Alongside his four teammates – all of whom had limbs amputated after being injured in Afghanistan – Harry practised with the clothing he will wear on the 200-mile expedition and learned how to avoid frost-nip and frostbite in the inhospitable climate in Antarctica.

After emerging from the huge testing facility, in which temperatures dropped to as low as -55C with wind-chill, the prince blew into his hands and rubbed them together to warm up as he chatted with his teammates over tea and biscuits.

The Virgin Money South Pole Allied Challenge will begin in late November and last around 15 days and the teams will trek between nine and 12 miles each day.

Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgard, star of True Blood, will head the US team, while Englishman Dominic West, star of hit series The Wire, will race alongside the Commonwealth team.

Harry, who took part in the Walking with the Wounded trek to the North Pole in 2011 for five days, is patron of the Antarctica expedition.

He missed out on an attempt to conquer Mount Everest with the group last year because of his military commitments and he withdrew early from the successful North Pole expedition to attend his brother's wedding.