Royal Decends Europe’s Tallest Building

Royal Decends Europe’s Tallest Building, The Duke of York has abseiled from the top of the Shard building in London to raise £1m for charity. Prince Andrew Leaps Off Shard Skyscraper, The Duke of York has abseiled from the top of the Shard building in London to raise £1m for charity.

Prince Andrew’s daredevil descent covered a distance of 820ft – beginning on the 87th floor, just below the top of the 1,016ft tower, and finishing an hour later on level 20.

The 52-year-old royal is part of a group of around 40 people – including Ffion Hague, the wife of the Foreign Secretary – who will lower themselves down the building for The Outward Bound Trust and the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund .

The Outward Bound Trust is the UK’s leading provider of bursary-assisted outdoor learning and has worked with more than one million young people since its foundation in 1941.

Prince Andrew succeeded HRH The Duke of Edinburgh as Chairman of Trustees to the organisation in 1999 and has since then devoted much of his time to its cause.

He said: “I am delighted to be leading the Descent of the Shard . I am also very proud, as the Chairman of The Outward Bound Trust, of the work the Trust undertakes with young people to give them challenge through adventure.

“The Royal Marines are also close to my heart as a part of the Royal Navy and whilst the work they do in support of our nation is beyond any question; I am delighted to be joining with The Royal Marines and their Charitable Trust Fund to be able to raise not only awareness for the two Charitable organisations we are Descending the Shard for but also in raising the necessary money and support for both organisations to be able to continue our vital work.”