Prince Harry.Photo: BACKGRID
Prince Harryis back in the saddle.
The Duke of Sussex, 37, competed in the Harry East Memorial Tournament at Santa Barbara Polo Club, not far from the California home he shares with his wifeMeghan Markleand their two children: Archie, who turns 3 on Friday, and Lili, who will turn 1 on June 4.
Harry joined his longtime palNacho Figueras— who he frequently plays polo alongside — on a team called Los Padres, which means the fathers/parents in Spanish. They went on to win the tournament.
“Thrilled to be riding alongside my friend,Prince Harry, and the rest of the Los Padres team at the @santabarbarapoloclub ’s Harry East Memorial Tournament,” Figueraswrote on Instagram. “We’ve ridden together many times over the years and now that we’re both parents, it’s extra special to be able to spend this time together.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.BACKGRID
During his surprise appearance at the event, he also promised $1.5 million of the proceeds from hisforthcoming memoirto the charity.
“This is one of several donations I plan to make to charitable organizations and I’m grateful to be able to give back in this way for the children and communities who gravely need it,” he said in a statement.
Meghan Markle.BACKGRID
Sentebale Ambassador Nacho Figueras joined the prince in Colorado, posting after the match on hisInstagram: “How lucky I am to be able to ride along with you in your mission of making the world a better place for people not as fortunate as us. It is your commitment and passion to give back that is my inspiration. It was so great spending a couple of days with you, my friend.”
Harry has made a point to participate in the charity polo match in recent years. Just weeks after Archie was born in 2019,Queen Elizabeth’s grandsontraveled to Romefor his first night away from his son for the event.
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In 2018, Meghan supported Harry from the sidelines — and celebrated with acongratulatory kissafter handing over the trophy.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Figueras, who was a guest at the couple’sroyal weddingin May 2018, has been supportive of Harry on and off the polo field.
“The world thinks they know everything about this man,” the Argentine polo player wrote on Instagram in 2019, adding that he has “been fortunate enough to spend enough time over the years to learn and understand the man he really is.”
Figueras went on to describe Harry as “a kind, generous, compassionate person who is constantly thinking about how to make the world a better place, wether [sic] that is helping kids in Africa,talking openly about mental health, encouraging children or talking about climate child and all the things that we all human beings need to change for the next generations.”
“I see him do that over and over again and it is truly inspiring,” he continued. “I am honored to be your friend and let’s keep fighting because if we all fight together love always wins.”
source: people.com
