Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas

Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas

Britain's Prince Harry has taken Cressia Bonas skiing in Kazakhstan.

The 29-year-old royal has shunned the exclusive Swiss Alps - which is a popular skiing destination for the royal family - for a getaway in the former Soviet state in central Asia.

Harry and Cressida, 25, were given a ride to the ski slopes by an official government helicopter, according to The Sun newspaper, and were seen posing for pictures.

The couple are staying at the luxury Shymbulak resort, which is part-owned by wealthy entrepreneur Serzhan Zhumashov, who is a close friend of the Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Kazakhstan was made famous on the big screen by Sacha Baron Cohen's comedy character Borat.

Prince Harry and Cressida have increased their public outings of late amid speculation they may soon wed.

Cressida is due to join Harry in hosting a dinner at St James's Palace later this week, which indicates she has officially been recognised as the royal's partner.

The dinner will honour Harry's companions on a trek to the South Pole last year on behalf of the Walking with the Wounded charity.