WELLINGTON – Meghan Markle took to the podium on Friday carrying the trophy that was awarded to the winner of the Royal Salute Sentebale Polo Challenge. The Duchess of Sussex walked past the first two players on the winning Royal Sentebale team before squeezing in next to her husband.
“Me,” Prince Harry said, pointing to himself and feigning surprise before the couple kissed.
The world’s most famous polo player helped his team win the charity round-robin match that benefited Sentebale, of which Harry is a co-founder.
Harry’s goal helped Royal Salute Sentebale defeat the Grand Champions 3-1 in the final game. Sentebale beat Maseru 1-0 in their first match.
Harry had the last laugh at a close friend, noted Argentine Grand Champions polo player Nacho Figueras. Figueras scored three goals, but when told he had lost to Harry’s team, Harry replied, “again.”
Harry’s goal came in the first chukker of the match against the Grand Champions, reaching the center of the pitch before sending the ball between the posts.
The event was one of three fundraisers held for Sentebale that raised $1 million. Sentebale works with children in Lesotho and Botswana, in Southern Africa, affected by poverty and health problems such as HIV.
“It’s always good to be with him doing what he loves, which is playing polo, for a cause we love,” said Figueras.
Harry and Meghan arrived two and a half hours before the 7pm match, which took place on the field at the west end of the National Polo Center and was not publicized for security reasons. The couple stopped to take photos with Sentebale executives and friends, including Figueras and his wife, Delfina.
Figueras first played in a Senebal charity match in 2007.
Harry and Meghan did not answer questions.
Second time Prince Harry plays polo in Wellington
This is the second time Harry, 39, has played polo in Wellington. In 2016, a similar Sentebale charity event was held at Valiente Polo Farms.
That year, he stopped quickly, playing the match and immediately heading to Orlando. On Friday, after presenting the trophy, Harry attended a dinner at Fazenda Santa Rita Polo, in Wellington.
Figueras calls Harry one of his “dearest friends” and said the two talk often.
“Harry has raised horses and played polo since he was very young,” Figueras said. “He’s a very good driver, a very good athlete, has great hand-eye coordination. He’s very competitive. It’s always fun sharing the field with him.”
Harry and Figueras usually play together, but Friday was one of the few days they were on competing teams.
“We’ve been fighting for a few days now to see who will win,” said Figueras, 47 years old, with a 5-goal deficit.
When asked who is more competitive, Figueras said, “It goes both ways.”
Harry carries a 1-goal deficit in polo
Harry is a polo player with a 1-goal handicap. His team included Poroto Cambiaso, with 10 goals, Malcolm Borwick (5) and Dana Barnes (0). Each scored a goal on Friday.
Polo players are rated on a scale of minus 2 to 10, with -2 being a beginning player. Professionals usually have a handicap of 5 or more.
More: Between Prince Charles and Harry’s visit, a lot changed in Wellington
Wellington became known for hosting royalty, particularly because of its extensive equestrian and polo community. Harry’s father, Prince Charles, now King of the United Kingdom, gave the village global notoriety when he started playing polo in Wellington more than four decades ago.
Known at the time as the most famous polo player in the world, King Charles visited several times, including in 1985, when Princess Diana joined him, a spectacle that attracted more than 15,000 people to the Palm Beach Polo and Country Club .
King Charles’ highest rating was 4 handicap.
This article originally appeared on the Palm Beach Post: Prince Harry’s goal helps Royal Salute Sentebale team win charity polo match
