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The top Alpine resort of Zermatt has invited Prince Harry or Prince William to climb the Matterhorn as part of celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of the iconic peak.

The Swiss ski and mountaineering village, whose history as a holiday destination is closely linked with Britain, has sent a letter to Buckingham Palace saying how delighted it would be to welcome a member of the royal family to the commemorative events next year.

A Royal invite: Prince William and Prince Harry have been invited to climb Switzerland's iconic mountain, the Matterhorn

The 14,692 ft Matterhorn, which dominates the village in Switzerland's Valais canton, was first conquered on July 14, 1865, by British illustrator and engraver Edward Whymper.

But his triumph turned to appalling tragedy when four members of the seven-strong climbing party fell to their deaths on the descent.

However, the event brought huge attention to the village and emphasised the significant part that Britons were playing in popularising mountaineering.

The Matterhorn had at the time been one of the last major Alpine peaks to be conquered.

Celebrities and dignitaries from around the world are being invited to help mark the anniversary of the climb. 

Alpine beauty: The Matterhorn overlooks the town of Zermatt, where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge holidayed in 2007

A letter has been sent to Buckingham Palace, via the British Embassy in the Swiss capital of Bern, inviting any member of the Royal family to take part, said Andreas Biner, the president of Zermatt's Civic Community Committee.

'We would love Prince Harry or Prince William to have a go at climbing the Matterhorn,' said Mr Biner.

'Harry is very sporty we know, and we think that it could very well appeal to him. And William and Kate know Zermatt - they enjoyed a holiday here before they married.

'It wouldn't surprise us if Harry took up our invitation and said yes to the challenge. We would, of course, give him every assistance with guides and training.

Edward Whymper: The British mountaineer who made the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865

'We have not received a reply yet from Buckingham Palace but we are hoping for a positive response.'

William and Kate took a skiing holiday in the village in 2007 - and one night had dinner in the Whymper Stube at the Monte Rosa Hotel, in the centre of Zermatt, where Edward Whymper stayed before climbing the Matterhorn.

Whymper's climb brought controversy that saw Queen Victoria become involved.

Whymper, 25 at the time, had quickly put together a climbing party to beat a rival Italian expedition to conquer the peak.

They won the race to the top, but on the way down Lord Francis Douglas, Charles Hudson, Douglas Hadow and Michel Croz all fell to their deaths after Hadow slipped and pulled the other three with him down the North Face.

Whymper and two local guides, Peter Taugwalder and his son, also Peter, faced suggestions that the rope was cut. But a subsequent inquiry found no proof of this and they were exonerated.