Prince William saddles up and shows of his incredible polo skills in charity match
Prince William is helping to raise money for 11 charities and causes that he and his wife support.
Prince William ditched his usual suit and tie for his polo kit as he participates in the annual charity match at Guards Polo Club in Windsor, Berkshire.
He arrived ahead of the match and was pictured chatting to guests outside the US Polo Association hospitality tent. Aides said the competitive royal "is hoping for a win" in the 90-minute match.
Last year the Prince raised £1million with his wife Kate on hand to present the award to him and his team. But this year the Princess of Wales has not joined him for the event, as she continues to undergo chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer.
Today's match marks the 13th time the heir to the throne has participated in the Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Cup and today the total amount raised "for well-deserving causes that The Prince and Princess are passionate about" is set to exceed £13m.
Charities chosen relate to issues they care deeply about, such as the emergency services, mental health, early years, conservation and the armed forces, and many are patronages.
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One of the recipients is the Motor Neurone Disease Association, the charity associated with the late Rob Burrow - with William having presented him and former teammate Kevin Sinfield with their CBEs in January before Rob passed away in June.
Another is The Royal Marsden, which has been nominated as a longstanding patronage of The Prince.
The eleven charities chosen this year are: Wales Air Ambulance, Mountain Rescue England & Wales, SHOUT, Child Bereavement UK, Royal African Society, Place2Be, Action for Children, Motor Neurone Disease Association, The Blackthorn Rally, HMS Oardacious Fund and The Royal Marsden.
A Kensington Palace Spokesperson said: “Each year the Polo match raises a million pounds for deserving charities and that is the driver of why The Prince of Wales takes part. To date, The Prince playing Polo has raised an incredible £13 million pounds for charities that The Prince and Princess support. He’s hopeful for a win!”
Peter Phillips and his girlfriend Harriet Sperling were among the spectators.
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William has grown up playing polo, and is a sport beloved by many members of the Royal Family - including King Charles and Prince Harry.
William has a slight disadvantage to other players, as the rules state the mallet must only be used in the right hand - even if you’re left-handed like William is.
Harry still plays, having joined the Los Padres team which, based in Santa Barbara, is led by his friend and professional player Nacho Figueras.
He participates in the annual Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup alongside Nacho, which fundraises for Sentebale — an organisation he co-founded to help children and young people in Southern Africa dealing with poverty, HIV/AIDS or COVID-19.
The Duke of Sussex likes the sport so much he's working with Netflix to produce a docuseries on it.
Filmed in Florida, the show aims to "pull the curtain back on the grit and passion of the sport."
