Heir up there: Prince Harry to join Everest expedition

Those lucky enough to be around Prince Harry may already have experienced regular shortness of breath. But at least now they'll have a legitimate reason.

The third in line to the British throne will make good on the promise he made at the end of his North Pole expedition last year: to help support Walking With the Wounded — the soldier-benefiting charity of which he is a patron — as they endeavor to get four wounded servicemen to the top of Mount Everest this spring.

Now that's the right way to be a social climber.

MORE: Prince Harry's heading back to Afghanistan!

The 27-year-old royal hinted as much last year at the end of his snowy trek to the Arctic (which saw him briefly stranded during the run-up to his brother's wedding).

Now he looks set to join the group in April or May, when they plan on reaching the 29,000-foot summit of the world's highest mountain.

Though no official comment has been made (“it will all depend on his Army commitments” is all his spokesman would say), it seems unlikely Harry will get the training needed to make the full climb, what with his military duty, the upcoming London Olympics, his grandmother's diamond jubilee and other commitments.

But even though Harry's rep isn't talking, one of his fellow climbers is.

MORE: Prince Harry goes clubbing...with Gwyneth Paltrow?!

Mollie Hughes, the 21-year-old set to become the youngest British woman to climb Everest when she ascends in May, told Britain's Telegraph that she was informed Harry would be joining the group.

"He won't be doing the full climb, as it will take a long time and it requires rigorous training, so I think he'll be joining at base camp," she told the paper.

The team is expected to stay at the South Base Camp in Nepal, where they'll prepare for the mountainous conditions.

We'll be cheering you on, Har! From a safe, warm distance, of course.

PHOTOS: Prince William vs. Prince Harry: Who's Hotter?!