The Duke of Sussex spent his first Valentine’s Day as a married man in one of the planet’s harshest climates, meeting British armed forces taking part in winter survival training in the Arctic Circle.
Harry, who travelled to northern Norway by charter plane, took a flight believed to have cost around £20,000 to meet British servicemen taking part in the gruelling Exercise Clockwork during a whistlestop tour of their base on Thursday.
As part of his visit Harry was shown a Quincey Shelter, resembling a makeshift igloo, that had been decorated with photographs of his wedding to Meghan ahead of his arrival – which he laughingly referred to as a ‘shrine’ as romantic music played in the background.
The duke, who was dressed in Royal Marines uniform for the first time, met with temperatures just over freezing point when he stepped off the double-engine Cessna Citation Excel at the Bardufoss air station, 200 miles (322km) within the Arctic Circle, this morning.
The state-of-the-art 18ft plane flies in and out of smaller airports while offering ‘the comfort and amenities of a midsize cabin jet’ according to Cessna.
A direct chartered flight on the Citation Excel – based on a seven-hour round trip from Farnborough to Bardufoss for seven people – would cost between £18,200 and £21,450 according to Luxaviation.
While Kensington Palace declined to comment on details of the flight, royal travel for official engagements is typically funded by the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant.
That’s not very romantic! The Duke of Sussex spent his first Valentine’s Day as a married man meeting British armed forces taking part in winter survival training inside the Arctic Circle, while his wife was believed to be at home in London
Harry inside a Quincey Shelter, which resembles a makeshift igloo, that had been decorated ahead of his arrival with photographs of his wedding to the Duchess of Sussex stuck to the walls and a sign saying ‘there’s snow place like home’
The Duke of Sussex greeted troops during his visit to Exercise Clockwork in Bardufoss, Norway, for a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Commando Helicopter Force and Joint Helicopter Command deploying for extreme cold weather training
The duke, who is due to become a father for the first time in late April or early May, was met with temperatures just over freezing point when he stepped off the double-engine Cessna Citation Excel (pictured) at the Bardufoss air station
What is Exercise Clockwork?
The Duke of Sussex only had to brave the conditions at the Royal Norwegian Air Force Station Bardufoss today.
But for 800 or so British service personnel taking part in this year’s gruelling winter training programme dubbed Exercise Clockwork, the remote training centre in the north of Norway will remain home for several weeks yet.
Around 16,000 marines, sailors and airmen have undertaken the arduous training regime at Bardufoss since it was first held in 1969, where recruits are taught to fight, survive and operate in temperatures reaching as low as minus 30C (minus 22F).
Bardufoss air station is 200 miles (322km) within the Arctic Circle
The exercise involves the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF), which is made up of personnel taken mainly from the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines, as well as some RAF and Army servicemen, who are brought over to Bardufoss from RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset.
Engineers will undergo exercises on the flightline to keep aircraft functioning in the difficult conditions, while aircrew will be be asked to carry out night-time snow landings, mountain landings, and troop drills. All personnel who head to Norway will also need to complete a cold weather survival course.
It was 1969 when the first Westland Wessex helicopters (now CHF’s 845 Naval Air Squadron) arrived in Scandinavia, living out of rudimentary shelters.
They conducted trials to show the UK’s commitment to defend NATO’s northern flank and see if they could support 3 Commando Brigade in the unforgiving environment.
Today, Exercise Clockwork is considered vital in readying Royal Marines and Royal Navy personnel.
Merlin pilot, Lieutenant Tom Lennon of 845 NAS, who is is well versed in the challenges of operating in the frozen north, said: ‘The long-standing Exercise Clockwork, conducted by Joint Helicopter Command some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle, has been pivotal in delivery of Arctic training to personnel from all three services for the last 50 years.’
The Sovereign Grant is the amount of money provided by Government to the royals in support of the Queen’s official duties, including the maintenance of the occupied royal palaces and royal travel.
The Duchess of Sussex is believed to be at home in Kensington Palace following a turbulent week that saw her father leak details of a ‘devastating’ letter and her friends hit out at the ‘global bullying’ they say she has endured.
Meghan, 37, is a self-confessed ‘sucker for Valentine’s Day’ – previously revealing she wakes up every February 14 ‘waiting with bated breath to be dipped into a kiss’.
Last week, Thomas Markle Sr. leaked the contents of a letter written by Meghan, 37, last summer in which she accused him of breaking her heart ‘into a million pieces’ by giving interviews to the press, fabricating stories and publicly attacking her new husband.
Just days earlier, five unnamed friends spoke to People magazine in an effort to counter the social media trolling and ‘global bullying’ directed at the pregnant duchess.
Harry’s trip marks the 50th anniversary of Commando Helicopter Force and Joint Helicopter Command deploying to the remote base.
There, military personnel are taught how to survive, operate and fight in the sub-zero conditions, as well as gaining experience of operating aircraft in severe cold weather and mountainous environments.
The Cessna Citation Excel that carried Harry to Norway on Thursday morning. The state-of-the-art 18ft plane flies in and out of smaller airports while offering ‘the comfort and amenities of a midsize cabin jet’ according to Cessna
Harry touches down in snowy Norway on Thursday morning local time. The duke, who is due to become a father for the first time when the Duchess of Sussex gives birth later this year, was met with freezing temperatures in the Arctic Circle
The annual winter exercise has trained over 16,000 Royal Marines and Royal Navy sailors and airmen since 1969.
The multinational exercise, hosted by the Norwegian Armed Forces, comprises environmental flying qualifications, cold weather survival, and snow and ice driving courses.
On arrival, Harry was greeted by UK ambassador to Norway Richard Wood, Lt Col Dave West, officer commanding Exercise Clockwork, Lt Col Andy Walker, the UK defence attache, and Col Eirik Stueland, Bardufoss station commander.
Taken inside immediately for a briefing, he met senior personnel from the base before sitting down for a lesson in the history of Exercise Clockwork and a video of the modern day training programme.
It included footage of servicemen undergoing their gruelling ice water plunge, which sees them drop through a hole in the ice into freezing water to learn how to climb out again.
Harry was greeted by an official after arriving in Norway. His trip marks the 50th anniversary of Commando Helicopter Force and Joint Helicopter Command deploying to the remote base, and he understood to be returning to London tonight
Harry in northern Norway on Thursday where he met with British servicemen undergoing the gruelling Exercise Clockwork during a tour of their base. He arrived by charter plane this morning and was met with freezing conditions and icy winds
Harry gave a royal salute after touching down in Norway late morning local time. His trip marked the 50th anniversary of Commando Helicopter Force and Joint Helicopter Command deploying to the remote base
Afterwards, the Duke joined the troops for a hot buffet lunch in the mess, away from the cameras so he could meet men and women of all ranks to speak frankly.
As the snow fell, he was then invited to inspect the four-man, ten-man and 16-man tents used during training, with avalanche rescue gear and a 45kg Bergen backpack ready for inspection.
Spotting Chris Anderson, a corporal in the RAF, dressed in a white, snow-camouflaged suit over his uniform with a mask, the Duke joked: ‘You look as though you’re loving it.’
Inside a tent, he was invited to lift the heavy bag containing rations, emergency clothing, snow shovel, survival knives, hot flask, cooking equipment and sleeping bags, torch, goggles and gloves. ‘I’d like to but I’m not sure…’ he said, making a quick attempt before dropping it.
‘When you’re out here, what do you guys look forward to the most?’ he asked, quizzing servicemen on how long they had served and how long they are based in Norway.
‘Look after yourself,’ he told them. ‘How’s morale been?’ he asked, before indulging in some military banter as Captain General Royal Marines by joking: ‘The RAF guys will be struggling the most, will they?’
The Duke learned about Exercise Clockwork during his visit today. The multinational exercise, hosted by the Norwegian Armed Forces, comprises environmental flying qualifications, cold weather survival, and snow and ice driving courses
The Duke of Sussex touched down in Bardufoss on Thursday morning. Harry was appointed Captain General Royal Marines in December 2017, taking over the role from his grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh after 64 years on the job
Harry chatted to troops after touching down in Bardufoss on Thursday. He was met with temperatures around freezing point for his visit to the Bardufoss air station, some 200 miles (322km) within the Arctic Circle
Harry arrived at Bardufoss, where military personnel are taught how to survive, operate and fight in the sub-zero conditions, as well as gaining experience of operating aircraft in severe cold weather and mountainous environments
During his visit today, the Duke saw field tents, snow vehicles and a Quincey Shelter, a makeshift shelter built of snow in which the elite forces are able to camp. The duke already has experience of colder climates, facing temperatures as low as -35C on charity expeditions
Before leaving, the Duke was asked to cut a cake celebrating the 50th anniversary of Exercise Clockwork, which featured a helicopter made from rice crispies and marshmallows.
Quizzing Leading Chef Matt Roberts, he learned the troops in Bardufoss had a larger daily food budget to account for the extra calories they need in the cold, joking: ‘No wonder you’re all so happy.’
Wielding a sword, he ceremonially cut the cake, shouting ‘Happy Birthday’ to dozens of men and women gathered in the hanger. ‘It’s really nice to see you all and know that you’re having a good time out here,’ he told them.
‘Use every single day as an experience, and bring that back. I hope you can make the most of it. ‘I know lots of you have left your families at home to be out here. It’s hugely appreciated. And you still have a smile on your face. ‘Congratulations on your 50th anniversary.’
Following Harry’s visit today, a Royal Navy Sea King MK4 will be presented as a gate guardian by the UK military to the Norwegian armed forces to mark the programme’s 50th anniversary.
Harry, in his role as Captain General Royal Marines, met some of the 1,000 military personnel living and training at the base during his visit today.
Their presence is widely regarded as a show of strength in the face of increased aggression from Vladimir Putin.
Harry joined troops on a walk around the air base. The Duke of Sussex was appointed Captain General Royal Marines in December 2017 shortly after his engagement, taking over the role from his grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Sussex learned about the training involved in Exercise Clockwork. Harry, in his role as Captain General Royal Marines, met with some of the 800 military personnel living and training at the base, located in the Arctic Circle
Harry donned Royal Marines Uniform as he joined troops staying in Bardufoss for their gruelling winter training programme. Their presence in Norway is widely considered a show of strength in the face of aggression from Putin
Harry joined troops on a training exercise as he joins the Royal Marines in Bardufoss to learn about Exercise Clockwork. The annual winter exercise has trained over 16,000 Royal Marines and Royal Navy sailors and airmen since 1969
The Duke 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.
One such shelter, which resembles a makeshift igloo, had been decorated ahead of Harry’s arrival with photographs of his wedding to the Duchess of Sussex last May stuck to the walls and a sign saying ‘there’s snow place like home’.
Harry, who was welcomed by Lance Corporal Lee Lovack and air engineering technician Kevin Burns, joked: ‘You weirdos.
‘It’s very kind of you to invite me into your private shrine or whatever you want to call it. And the music, is that part of it? Romantic isn’t it.’
And checking that the British troops stationed at the base had remembered to send cards and flowers to their wives at home, he teased them about getting into trouble as he reminisced about his days as a pilot.
Speaking afterwards, AET Burns, 36, from Inverness, said: ‘We took him (the duke) through the structure of the shelter, how it’s made.
‘He is used to the weather, I think, because he said about exercises he had been on, he looked around at the shelter with the pictures and candles and he said we were weirdos.’
On seeing the photographs of his wedding day (pictured) Harry, who was welcomed by Lance Corporal Lee Lovack and air engineering technician Kevin Burns, joked: ‘You weirdos. ‘It’s very kind of you to invite me into your private shrine or whatever you want to call it. And the music, is that part of it? Romantic isn’t it’
Inside the Quincey shelter, which resembles an igloo, and had been decorated ahead of Harry’s arrival with photographs of his wedding to the Duchess of Sussex last May stuck to the walls and a sign saying ‘there’s snow place like home’
Harry was given a warm welcome as he arrived at the air base today. The duke already has experience of colder climates, facing temperatures as low as -35C on charity expeditions, in addition to his time in the armed forces
Harry met troops at Bardufoss Air Force Base on Thursday. The duke is due to become a father for the first time when the Duchess of Sussex gives birth later this year, and Meghan is understood to be at home in Kensington Palace
Harry chatted with troops at Bardufoss Air Force Base. Lieutenant Colonel David West, officer commanding Exercise Clockwork, said he was ‘honoured’ to have the royal there
The Duke of Sussex being briefed on the history and context of Clockwork during a visit to Exercise Clockwork in Bardufoss, Norway. Harry previously took part in treks to the North Pole in 2011 and South Pole in 2013 with Walking With The Wounded
Harry meets troops at Bardufoss today. He was appointed Captain General Royal Marines in 2017, taking over the role from his grandfather, who held the appointment for 64 years
Harry spent three hours in the icy wilds of northern Norway, meeting hundreds of servicemen undergoing the gruelling Exercise Clockwork.
The Duke of Sussex 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.
The duke already has experience of colder climates, facing temperatures as low as -35C on charity expeditions when he took part in treks to the North Pole in 2011 and South Pole in 2013 with Walking With The Wounded.
Lieutenant Colonel David West, officer commanding Exercise Clockwork, said: ‘We are celebrating 50 years of Exercise Clockwork today and are honoured to be able to welcome the Captain General of the Royal Marines to Bardufoss to mark the occasion.’
He added: ‘Harry is used to rigours of harsh climates and so will fully understand the dangers of trying to live and operate in such an extreme environment.
Harry at the training base on Thursday. Temperatures were around freezing point for his visit to the Bardufoss air station, some 200 miles (322km) within the Arctic Circle. The duke already has experience of colder climates, facing temperatures as low as -35C on charity expeditions
Harry listens intently to a talk on Exercise Clockwork at Bardufoss today. He previously took part in treks to the North Pole in 2011 and South Pole in 2013 with Walking With The Wounded
The Duke of Sussex was in good spirits for his trip to Norway. Harry previously took part in treks to the North Pole in 2011 and South Pole in 2013 with Walking With The Wounded and has experience in facing extreme temperatures
Harry is at Bardufoss to meet troops and learn more about Exercise Clockwork. The exercise, hosted by the Norwegian Armed Forces, comprises environmental flying qualifications, cold weather survival, and snow and ice driving courses
‘Clockwork continues to deliver vital training for our people. It provides essential experience in flying and surviving in the extreme cold hundreds of miles inside the Arctic Circle.
‘For 50 years Commando Helicopter Force and its predecessors have operated in this region and the skills learnt here are more relevant than ever.’
Speaking after Harry’s visit today, Warrant Officer 1st Class Adrian Shepherd, who has served with CHF for 27 years, said: ‘This is the first time His Royal Highness has visited Joint Helicopter Command since becoming Captain General and it is great that he is doing the visit while we’re in Norway.
‘He was able to get a good look at what we do and how we operate in these harsh conditions. He saw the amount of training that goes into it and why it is so important that we do this exercise every year.
‘It is good for the people out here to see their hard work recognised during a significant year for the exercise.’
Harry meets Marine commandos on Thursday. Lieutenant Colonel David West, officer commanding Exercise Clockwork, said he was ‘honoured’ to have the royal there, after he flew in on a twin engine private jet
Meghan is understood to be at home in London while Harry is in Norway. Harry’s trip marks the 50th anniversary of Commando Helicopter Force and Joint Helicopter Command deploying to the remote base
Colour Sergeant Gary Bell is an air crewman for the Merlin and the chief air crewman of Clockwork.
The 40-year-old has operated in Norway nine times – four times in the iconic and now retired Sea King and five times with the Merlin. He said there have been many changes to Clockwork during his time but the focus has always been the same.
‘If you can operate in Norway and in these conditions, you can operate anywhere in the world,’ he said. ‘Clockwork is about ensuring our people have the skillset they need to support 3 Commando Brigade and defend NATO’s northern flank.
‘This is the harshest and toughest place to look after yourself and operate an aircraft so it really does make you ready for anything.
‘During the Duke’s visit we were able to show we have those capabilities and the team were able to speak to him about how we achieve it.’
Meghan’s love of Valentine’s Day – and how she gave tips for potential suitors
In her former life as an actress and lifestyle blogger, Meghan shared a ‘Valentine’s wish list’ on her website The Tig – filled with potential gift ideas for that special someone.
In the gift guide, first published in 2016, Meghan admitted she’s a ‘sucker for Valentine’s Day’ and wakes up every February 14 ‘waiting with bated breath to be dipped into a kiss’.
After that, suitors should serve breakfast in bed on a tray embossed with the words ‘All my love’ and give their love interest a single flower along with a romantic handwritten note, according to the guide.
Meghan, pictured on an old Instagram post, previously shared a ‘Valentine’s wish list’ on her website The Tig – filled with potential gift ideas for that special someone
Paying attention Harry? In 2016 the actress shared several of her Valentine Day gift ideas on her blog, The Tig – including designer lingerie and Jo Malone fragrance
Most importantly, all of this should be happening in Paris, as Meghan likes to feel as if she’s ‘immersed’ in the famous 1950 photo by Robert Doisneau of a smooching couple in the City of Love.
The former actress also gushed on her blog about ‘the season for heart-shaped chocolates, red roses, and lovey-dovey greeting cards’.
But for the lowdown on what she really wants, Harry should turn to an earlier Valentine’s Day gift guide in which she wrote: ‘In terms of gifts, be it breakfast in bed, a sweet love note, or a single flower… it really is the thought that counts.’
The priceless advice comes from a post Meghan made in 2015 on her now defunct lifestyle blog, The Tig, named because of her appreciation of the wine Tignanello.