Prince Harry had a bespoke penis ‘cushion’ made for a trip to Antarctica in order to protect him from a second dose of genital frostbite.
The Duke of Sussex, 38, was presented with the device by a ‘close mate’ ahead of a 335km charity hike for injured veterans across the continent in 2013.
His close friend, who wasn’t named, sent him the custom-made device after Harry revealed he had suffered ‘frostnip’ of the penis during a similar charity event in the Arctic in March 2011.
But experts told MailOnline a ‘specialised’ device wasn’t needed for any polar trips, provided a man dresses adequately for frozen conditions.
Watch your South Pole Harry! The Duke, pictured here on the charity hike across Antarctica in 2013, has now revealed he packed much ‘snugger’ underwear in a bid to avoid a repeat case of frostbitten penis, as well as custom ‘c**k cushion’ given to him by a close friend
The prince waving to fans as he left the Late Night studios in New York City on Monday
Prince Harry’s memoir Spare has revealed his attempts to avoid further cases of a frostbitten penis
WOULD A PENIS ‘CUSHION’ EVEN WORK?
Like other extremities, the outward sticking body parts like the toes and fingers, the penis is vulnerable to frostbite.
However, in most environments and situations, men will generally dress warmly enough that this part of the body, which is usually bundled up anyway, should be protected from most temperatures.
It is unclear how effective a bespoke ‘c**k cushion’ would be at offering any further protection than underwear specially designed for hiking or cold weather conditions.
And Dr Richard Viney, a consultant urological surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, told MailOnline while it would be ‘reasonable’ to get extra protection if the area had suffered from frostbite previously, no ‘specialised devices’ should be needed.
‘It must be said that it’s highly unusual to just get frostbite to this area without getting frostbite to more exposed body parts like nose/ears and toes,’ he said.
‘All that should be necessary are a few extra layers in the immediate vicinity.’
The bizarre admission is just the latest in a string of shocking revelations buried in his bombshell new memoir ‘Spare’.
Harry had confessed his prior injury, which left the head of the organ extremely raw and sore as it healed, caused him great discomfort during William and Kate’s wedding in April that same year.
In the extract from ‘Spare’, which went on sale in Britain today, Harry told how he was keen to avoid a repeat injury for his trek across Antarctica and ensured he had taken extra precautions such as packing better underwear and extra padding.
But, he added that one friend went above and beyond in an attempt to protect his manhood.
‘Better yet, one very close mate hired a seamstress to make me a bespoke c**k cushion,’ he said.
‘Square, supportive, it was sewn from pieces of the softest fleece and… Enough said.’
Harry didn’t explain how this close friend acquired the necessary measurements to commission this ‘bespoke’ item.
Nor did he reveal if he actually wore the item during the arduous trip across the South Pole.
The trip saw the Duke of Sussex, as part of a team of seven, endure freezing temperatures of -45C (-49F) for about two weeks to reach the geographic South Pole in a bid to raise funds for military charities supporting veterans.
During a similar trip in 2011, this time to the North Pole, Harry had left with frostbite of his cheeks, ears and genitalia, he claimed.
Frostbite can occur anywhere on the body but extremities, including ears, nose, hands and penis, are more vulnerable to exposure.
The condition occurs when skin is exposed to extreme temperatures below zero degrees celsius.
Normally, the affected area begins to feel cold and painful as blood withdraws from the area to protect internal body temperature.
If exposure to cold continues, the sensation of pins and needles can happen before the area finally numbs over as tissue freezes, damaging it.
In extreme cases the tissue can be lost as a result requiring amputation.
For minor cases, the body heals the damage but this can be very painful as the dead tissue sloughs off, becoming red and raw, and sometimes taking up to six months to fully recover.
While Harry’s frostbitten ears and cheeks swiftly healed, he said he still suffered from his penile injuries during his brother’s wedding.
He also detailed in his memoir that he applied an Elizabeth Arden cream — a favorite of the late Princess Diana — onto his penis after a recommendation from a friend.
A beauty world cult staple, the brand’s Eight Hour Skin Protectant cream, one of its best-loved products, is known for its moisturizing properties.
It contains a blend of petrolatum and vitamin E, which aims to soothe dry skin.
Harry also said he secretly visited a doctor on Harley Street after fearing he may have to undergo a partial penectomy – a removal of part of the penis.
But he was told he just needed time for his organ to heal.
Dr Richard Viney, a consultant urological surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, told MailOnline frostbite of the penis was rare but typically only happens when a man urinates in freezing temperatures.
The Duke of Sussex confessed that he suffered from a frostbitten penis during William and Kate’s wedding in April 2011. Pictured above with the Prince of Wales on his wedding day
The Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Skin Protectant cream is known for its multi-tasking moisturizing properties
‘It’s possible for the penis to be affected but this is fairly rare as its central position means it’s usually well protected and insulated,’ he said.
‘When it is pulled out to urinate this will leave it exposed and wet and can lead to frostbite.’
He also said the ‘cushion’ wouldn’t be needed provided Harry had dressed adequately for the conditions.
‘No specialized devices should be needed. All that should be necessary are a few extra layers in the immediate vicinity.’
Dr Viney said that the best way to avoid a frostbitten penis was entirely to dress warmly in cold environments and not take the organ out of this protection.
‘Keeping oneself warm is key to avoiding a frostbitten penis.’
The NHS says frostbite sufferers, who usually include climbers, skiers and the homeless, should be taken to warm environments urgently.
Doctors usually warm up the affected areas in warm water in order to stop the damage.
The rewarming process is often painful and requires strong painkillers as warm blood surrounds frostbitten tissue, impacting nerve signals.
The earliest stage – called frostnip – which the Duke of Sussex claimed he had, is the easiest to treat.
