Prince William pays respects to his former polo teacher Claire Tomlinson
PRINCE William said a final farewell to his former polo teacher at her memorial service yesterday.
Claire Tomlinson was an England national team captain and coach, who taught William and his brother Harry the game at Beaufort Polo Club, Gloucestershire. She died aged 77 on January 13. Yesterday, William joined at least 200 friends and family members at a service of remembrance at St Mary's Church in Tetbury, in the Cotswolds ‑ near Prince Charles's Highgrove estate.
Polo has long been a favourite sport among males in the royal family. William, Harry, Charles and the late Prince Philip all played to a high standard, competing in matches around the UK.
Claire had coached William and Harry as youngsters, and was credited with much of their success.
Many of the mourners at yesterday's service were players she had taught as children.
Those leaving the ceremony said it was an "amazing" and "beautiful" tribute to one of the world's greatest players.
Claire was the highest-rated British female polo player in history, the first woman to compete against men in top level, or high-goal polo, and a legendary star for Oxford University's team.
She was also the first woman to win the County Cup, in 1972, and the Queen's Cup, in 1979, despite having been repeatedly denied entry to high-goal tournaments. She still holds the women's high-goal handicap record to this day.
Claire also captained England's national team, and coached the side after her retirement.
She spent her final years as the chair of the Beaufort club, near where she lived.
She is survived by her children Emma, Mark and Luke, all senior polo players or coaches who compete internationally.
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