Prince William and Prince Harry's charity motorbike trek in Africa, October 2008

[Incas]

From Telegraph:
Prince William and Prince Harry make their motorcycle trek into Africa - Telegraph

I've read about this motocycle trip before and always thought it was a tabloid goof. The article doesn't spell out exactly when it's taking place. Does anyone know?

[Skydragon]

The royal brothers will join a group of around 80 people riding across South Africa.
A similar number of Enduro Africa bikers are already travelling across the chosen route.

The challenging rally later this month lasts eight days and will be no easy ride.
Sky News' Royal correspondent Sarah Hughes said it will suit the princes well.
"Two years ago Prince William bought a 175 mph superbike and it's understood Prince Harry recently underwent intensive training to gain his licence ahead of the charity ride," she said

Princes William And Harry On Charity Motorbike Adventure | UK News | Sky News

[Isana]

The Press Association: Princes join Africa motorbike rally

Princes join Africa motorbike rally


Prince William and Prince Harry are to take part in a gruelling off-road motorcycle rally in aid of charity, Clarence House announced.
The royal brothers will travel to South Africa later this month for the Enduro Africa 08 event.
Money raised from the adventure will be divided equally between Sentebale, a charity established by Harry to help disadvantaged children, Unicef and the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.

[kpusa1981]

There appears to no announcement of William and Harry doing anything like that even though it sounds like a thing that both might enjoy and would for a good cause.
The Prince of Wales - Press Releases

[Ella Kay]

Maybe it's just not up yet? Here's the quote from the spokesperson in the Press Association article that Isana linked:

A Clarence House spokesman said: "The Princes are looking forward to the motorcycle ride that will raise money and the profile of Sentebale, a charity very close to their hearts, and two other major charities in southern Africa."

[Ella Kay]

Photos of Harry and William starting their motorcycle trek in Africa:

WENN Photo Library

[kpusa1981]

The trek takes two weeks right.Will they back in England in time for the royal premire of the New James Bond movie?
They are money charity that is good.

[Ella Kay]

Eight days is what I've heard. If they started today, that would have them finishing next Saturday, the 25th. I think the premiere is scheduled for the 29th.

[Avicenna]

Originally Posted by Ella Kay

Photos of Harry and William starting their motorcycle trek in Africa:

WENN Photo Library

No leather jacket? No kidney belt? Is this supposed to be a safe outfit?

The bikers I know over here do look different!

[aplusw2000]

wow Big Willy is really starting to lose his hair =( maybe that ll make em go quicker on his motorbike though lol

[rmay286]

Originally Posted by aplusw2000

wow Big Willy is really starting to lose his hair =( maybe that ll make em go quicker on his motorbike though lol

William is definitely looking bald now. He's losing his hair as fast as his uncle Edward did, but he still looks handsome!

[Charlotte1]

Originally Posted by Avicenna

No leather jacket? No kidney belt? Is this supposed to be a safe outfit?

The bikers I know over here do look different!

The pictures are from Friday's photo op for the press, both of them are wearing Sentebale T-shirts. The bike trek started today ( Saturday)

Princes William and Harry look relaxed at start of charity motorcycle rally in Africa - Telegraph

[Isana]

Sky News has a video up:

Princes Harry And William Embark On Enduro Africa Motorcyle Rally | UK News | Sky News

[Skydragon]

The Mail's take on it, read some of the comments though....

Into the wild: Princes William and Harry begin their gruelling and dangerous South African charity bike trek | Mail Online

With warpaint streaked down their faces, Princes William and Harry sped off into the South African wilderness today on an epic 1,000-mile motorbike trek for charity.

I have to admit, although it's for charity, I do feel they should be doing the job they are paid for, Army Officers! Still I'm sure their comrades in Afghanistan and Iraq will be thinking of them on this grueling jaunt!

[giov]

More pics from Getty
Prince William & Harry In Enduro Africa Motorcycle Ride, 18/10/2008.
http://legacyeditorial.gettyimages.c...%7c0&p=7&tag=2

[Iluvbertie]

I want to know if their bodyguards volunteered for this trip or whether, because their principals are doing it, they have to go.

Personally they could have raised a lot more money if they had organised another benefit concert with the proceeds going to the charities without putting the lives of their bodyguards at unnecessary risk. Personally I don't care if they put their own lives at risk but they also have to consider others and they don't seem to care about those whose job it is to protect them at all - two very selfish young men in my opinion who think that if they are doing it for charity then all else will be forgiven.

[ghost_night554]

What makes you say they're selfish, aren't their bodyguards supposed to protect them no matter what? Isn't that their job? They kinda go into this knowing that they're putting themselves in danger, especially protecting royalty. And really a concert would have been way harder and longer to organize then this. I dunno that's just what I think.

[Iluvbertie]

The bodyguards are employed by the British taxpayers - they are a branch of the police force.

Sure once they are in the Royal Protection Squad they have to go with their principal but that even shows a greater disregard for the British public - putting at risk those employed by the taxpayers to protect them.

A concert may take a long time to organise but this trek has been in the works for nearly a year (I remember reading about a planned trek like this about a year ago) so time to organise isn't an issue. Harder - I don't know about that - the difficulty with this whole trek is ensuring the safety of the participants - I have friends who have relatives and friends in all part of Africa just trying to get out due to their fear of living in Africa due to being white - these young men are actually putting their lives at risk of harm (and I don't care about them at all) but I do care about them putting at unneccessary risk the lives of their bodyguards (just as I oppose Harry's determination to serve on the front line if that increases the risk to his men or other British or allied troops. How would you feel if a loved one was killed in Afghanistan because the 'bad guys' were making a concerted effort to get at Harry andf your loved one happened to get in the road - that is what I mean by an unnecessary risk).

These princes aren't normal and can't do normal things. They have to consider others and they seem to be being encouraged to think that they are able to do whatever they like and everyone will accept them - they are doing charity work which makes it all right - it doesn't if they put others at risk.

[ghost_night554]

I guess, but (and this isn't directed to you specifically) I feel like everytime they both try and do something like go out do some charity work, try to raise money they are always criticized. Diana's concert, "they did it so they can have fun", when they went to the rehabilitation center this year it was "oh they're just doing it for PR" . It's just I feel like whatever they do, they can't get a break. Anyways back on topic, while what you're saying might be true, I get this feeling that it wasn't only William and Harry's idea, I'm sure they got the ok by other people such as their advisors and family members as well so I can't put full blame on them, just like Harry's deployment, Her Majesty approved of it I beleive so, I don't know, for me I can't call them selfish cause I mean and I'm not trying to use the oh it's charity work so it's ok excuse but if they were worried about the protection of others they could have told the boys no, unless they're afraid to. I think why William and Harry like doing these kinds of things is not only having them in it brings awareness but I'm sure they have alot of fun too and they meet new people and stuff anyways I'm rambling now, I hope what I'm trying to say made sense and I hope I somehow managed to stay on topic for the most part.

[Incas]

Who is Chelsea?...or is Daily Mail hinting at Harry has a new girlfriend?

Watch out Chelsea and Kate - the Princes set off on a gruelling bike ride across South Africa...with a bevy of blondes for company | Mail Online