The Duke of Sussex will be spending this Valentine’s Day in the Arctic Circle with Royal Marines who are being trained in survival in the extreme cold.
Harry is more than likely to be reunited with his pregnant wife, the Duchess of Sussex, in the evening, but will spend the day meeting troops who are taking part in Exercise Clockwork in north Norway.
The Duke of Sussex, Captain General @RoyalMarines, will visit Exercise Clockwork to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the operation in Bardufoss, Norway on Thursday 14th February. pic.twitter.com/73LASSDk4g
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) January 28, 2019
Exercise Clockwork is the traditional name for the gruelling annual winter training, based in one of the world’s most demanding environments.
Set 200 miles (322km) inside the Arctic Circle, more than 16,000 Royal Marines and Royal Navy sailors and airmen have taken part since 1969.
Military personnel are taught how to survive, operate and fight in the sub-zero conditions and gain experience of operating aircraft in severe cold weather and mountainous environments.
The multinational exercise, hosted by the Norwegian Armed Forces, comprises Environmental Flying Qualifications, Cold Weather Survival, Tent Group Commander and Snow and Ice Driving Courses.
Harry will also see field tents, snow vehicles and a Quincey Shelter – a makeshift shelter built of snow in which the elite forces are able to camp.
It is the duke and duchess’s first Valentine’s Day as a married couple.
Harry was appointed Captain General Royal Marines in December 2017, taking over the role from his grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh, who held the appointment for 64 years.
He will visit the aviation hangar to see some of the specialist aircraft including Apache, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, and also join Clockwork personnel as they celebrate the 50th anniversary.
Harry took part in treks to the North Pole in 2011 and South Pole in 2013 with Walking With The Wounded.
