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Prince William praises South Pole teams

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The Duke of Cambridge has spoken of his pride after a British Army expedition completed a gruelling recreation of the Scott-Amundsen race to the South Pole on the anniversary of Captain Scott's arrival there.

William, who is an RAF search and rescue pilot, sent a message of congratulations to the five servicemen working in two teams who retraced the steps of the famous adventurers to help raise money for the work of the Royal British Legion.

The expedition members braved temperatures as low as minus 51C, dragging food and fuel on sledges over ice to cover a combined distance of 1,500 nautical miles reading diary extracts from the original expeditions to give them encouragement.

The Scott team, made up of Warrant Officer Mark Langridge and Staff Sergeants Kev Johnson and Vic Vicary also paid homage to the original expedition by marking the point where each member of Scott's team had died on their return journey.

The Amundsen team of Lt Col Henry Worsley and WO2 Lou Rudd, retraced the route of the Norwegian adventurer and arrived at the geographical South pole last week. The Scott team arrived today.

William, who is patron of the Scott Amundsen centenary race 2011/2012, said in his message: "As a serving officer, it makes me so proud that, with the staunch support of The Royal British Legion, it is British soldiers who have achieved this great feat.

"Four out of the five men who went forward as Scott's final party were servicemen too.

"How proud they would be too of what you have achieved in their memory."

WO2 Langridge said, "We marched through the night to make it to the Pole on this historic day. We're completely shattered but so proud to have reached our goal."

The expedition aims to raise £500,000 for The Royal British Legion's work providing support to serving and ex-service people and their families.