Kate and William wish Army's Polar Preet good luck as she sets off on next Antarctic expedition

The Prince and Princess of Wales have wished a British Army officer good luck as she set off on a daring Antarctic expedition.

Captain Preet Chandi, known as Polar Preet, is aiming to become the first woman to cross the frozen continent solo and unsupported - less than a year after she became the first woman of colour to reach the South Pole solo and unsupported.

Prince William and Kate said "wishing you the best of luck" in reply to a tweet from the Army officer's account saying she had begun her mission.

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The Princess of Wales is patron of Capt Chandi's trek.

The physiotherapist from 3 Medical Regiment will travel more than 1,100 miles across Antarctica, pulling a sledge with all her kit.

Expected to take roughly 70-75 days, Capt Chandi will face temperatures as low as -50°C and wind speeds of up to 60 mph.

During the expedition, she is posting daily blogs and audio updates.

In her first post, Capt Chandi said she spent a day at Union Glacier before being dropped off at her start point.

"It's very windy outside but I'm glad I've started," she said.

Watch: Polar Preet received a hero's welcome in the UK after completing her previous Antarctic expedition.

Capt Chandi also dedicated her first blog to her grandad.

"He passed away a few years ago now but lived until he was almost 100 years old," she said.

"A lot of the time in our community, girls and women are seen as less than boys/men but he never made me feel that way. 

"To my Baba Ji, just like you did last time, I hope you are watching down on me again."

On day two, Capt Chandi wrote it is "a lot colder and windier than when I started last year".

"I started later in the season last year and I know the weather can be more temperamental early on," Capt Chandi said.

"I can really feel my 120kg pulk. Going quite slow at the moment but I’ll gradually build up my mileage as my pulk gets lighter too and I just need to remember that I am doing this day after day so I don't want to do too many hours too soon."