In a star-studded event featuring the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Fla., hosted the Royal Salute Polo Challenge in support of Sentebale, a charity co-founded in 2006 by The Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.
The Duchess of Sussex mingled with guests in attendance, including tennis star Serena Williams, and presented the trophy to the winning team. The couple’s presence in Wellington’s equestrian community sparked online chatter about his-and-hers Netflix specials potentially showcasing polo. There was no comment from the royal couple on the subject.
Instead, they provided the sparkle and chemistry the world has grown to not only love, but to expect, from the modern royal couple. After six years of marriage, headlines and a transatlantic relocation for security purposes, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex can wow the people around them with a glance or moment of tenderness.
“Me,” mouthed Prince Harry to his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, as she climbed up on the ceremonial podium and walked toward him with the trophy for a sweet, celebratory kiss at the conclusion of the match. The crowd swooned.
Royal Salute Sentebale (Dana Barnes, 0, Duke of Sussex, 1, Adolfo Cambiaso, 10, Malcolm Borwick, 5) won the round robin, 3-1, over Grand Champions (Louis Devaleix, 1, Grant Ganzi, 3, Nacho Figueras, 5, Hilario Figueras, 6) and Mesaru (Steve Cox, 0, Ivan Rubinich, 3, Pablo MacDonough, 10, Mohawed Julien Ndao, 0) with the Duke of Sussex scoring a goal. Steve Cox was named Most Valuable Player. Nacho Figueras’ bay mare Yatay Sara Jessica was Best Playing Pony.
After the match, Prince Harry said, “Bringing together the polo community that has long supported the work of Sentebale is always a great experience. Today, we raised funds to support our local teams on the ground deliver life-changing programs. The Sentebale team’s commitment plays an essential role in the lives of children and young people across Lesotho and Botswana, offering them hope, education and the means to combat the complex social challenges they face including high unemployment, poverty and the impact of HIV/AIDS.”
The name, Sentebale, meaning “forget me not” in Sesotho, reflects its dedication to ensuring no child is overlooked or forgotten.
“We are grateful to all of the guests, sponsors and partners who came together today to support this important work, and of course a huge thank you to all the players for making today’s game possible,” Prince Harry added.
The pro-am polo charity match at Grand Champions and post-game dinner for 280 invited guests, hosted by the Ganzis at Santa Rita Polo Farm, highlighted the importance of the programs in Lesotho and Botswana affected by issues of health, unemployment, inequity and climate change and how the sport of polo can help promote the charity’s vital work.
The polo match, in combination with other events from the week, including a dinner and panel at Zaytinya in South Beach, and Sotheby’s benefit auction, raised a total of $1 million for the organization.
Story by Sharon Robb & Josh Jakobitz