Britain’s Prince William is mourning the loss of a soldier who has died after becoming ill during a solo trek across Antarctica.
Henry Worsley, 55, was forced to quit the expedition just 30 miles from the end of his 913-mile mission, on which he was aiming to become the first person to cross the Antarctic on foot unaided, after he was struck down with extreme dehydration and exhaustion.
Henry was rushed to hospital in Chile after being struck down with illness and was found to have peritonitis, a stomach lining infection. He has now sadly died.
William said: "We have lost a friend, but he will remain a source of inspiration to us all."
The SAS hero was taking part in the trek to raise money for the Endeavour Fund, which helps injured servicemen and women, and while he couldn’t complete his challenge he managed to raise more than £100,000 for the foundation.
William previously said: "Henry Worsley has achieved a great deal over this epic journey, and I am immensely proud of all his efforts.
"The courage he has shown is a source of inspiration for the wounded servicemen and women who benefit from his support of The Endeavour Fund."
He was faced with minus 40-degree temperatures and only managed to change his underwear once in the past 70 days.
William sent Henry a message on Christmas Day (25.12.15), saying he was doing a "cracking job".
Prince William mourning solo trekker
