Prince Harry weathered a downpour not unlike soggy England to lead his Sentebale ISPS Handa team to victory in a round robin charity polo match at Valiente Polo Farm in Palm Beach earlier this week. It was only the second such event in the United States.
More than 300 spectators turned out for the event to raise money for Prince Harry’s charity Sentebale. It supports young people living with HIV/AIDS in Lesotho, Africa.
Harry’s Sentebale ISPS Handa team won with six points, followed by the Royal Salute team with three. Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador Malcolm Borwick rode with Harry. Sentebale ambassador Nacho Figueras, a well-known figure in Hamptons polo circles, rode the Royal Salute team.
Royal Salute guest of honor His Grace Torquhil Campbell, the 13th Duke of Argyll presented the winning trophy to Harry and the boys.
Prince Harry Royally Rained On in Palm Beach (Click Photos to Enlarge!)
Whisky brand Chivas Brothers, which makes British luxury whisky Royal Salut, sponsored the event and announced new support for the Sentebale Care Giver Initiative. It helps caregivers of children with HIV/AIDs.
Proceeds from the event will help send 1,500 children and adolescents aged between 10 and 19 years old to Sentebale’s monthly clubs and five-day, residential camp at the newly opened ‘Mamohato Children’s Centre.
Children with HIV are not only taught about the virus, they also educate their peers about the disease, enlightening a generation with the hope of leading the way to ending the AIDS epidemic.
“The Mamohato Children’s Centre in Lesotho which we opened last year, would not have been built without the generosity of Sentebale and its partners. Particularly the Sentebale Polo Cup,” Prince Harry told the crowd.
“This year we will expand our camp programme into Botswana a country I have been visiting regularly for almost two decades and genuinely feel I need to give as much back as I can.”
He also named George Mpanga also known as George the Poet, a recording artist and social commentator as the newest Sentebale Ambassador.
The Sentebale Polo Cup is in its seventh year. Royal Salute has been the title sponsor for the past six years. ISPS Handa, Valiente Polo Farm, American Airlines, USPA and Merchant Hub were this year’s sponsors.
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