Prince Harry hosted a charity fundraising polo match in aid of Sentebale at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club this afternoon. As hoped for, the Duchess accompanied him.
A stylish Meghan arrived in a cool outfit. One wouldn't guess from the photos we're in the middle of a heatwave. Reporters in Berkshire describing conditions as sweltering. California native Meghan appeared unfazed by the temperatures.
The couple with friend and polo player Nacho Figureas and his wife Delfina.
Harry and Meghan posed for official photos.
The Duke and Duchess joined guests for a sparkling reception with canapés, followed by an exquisite lunch. Guests dined on Mozzarella ice cream, Parmesan cones, Scottish langoustine, Roasted rump of salt marsh lamb, Calamansi lime meringue pie and British raspberries and cream mille feuille. The lunch was catered by Table Talk, a company long favoured by the royals.
Emily Nash shared a photo of the lunch menu.
Guests included Harry's longtime mentor and friend Mark Dyer and Mike Tindall. Mike chatted to People's Simon Perry on new baby Lena before the match: “So far, so good!” In the heat of this unusual British heatwave. “You buy all these clothes and they never need them. We just use nappies, but I'm not going to complain about hot weather in England,”.
A stylish Meghan arrived in a cool outfit. One wouldn't guess from the photos we're in the middle of a heatwave. Reporters in Berkshire describing conditions as sweltering. California native Meghan appeared unfazed by the temperatures.
The couple with friend and polo player Nacho Figureas and his wife Delfina.
Harry and Meghan posed for official photos.
The Duke and Duchess joined guests for a sparkling reception with canapés, followed by an exquisite lunch. Guests dined on Mozzarella ice cream, Parmesan cones, Scottish langoustine, Roasted rump of salt marsh lamb, Calamansi lime meringue pie and British raspberries and cream mille feuille. The lunch was catered by Table Talk, a company long favoured by the royals.
Emily Nash shared a photo of the lunch menu.
Guests included Harry's longtime mentor and friend Mark Dyer and Mike Tindall. Mike chatted to People's Simon Perry on new baby Lena before the match: “So far, so good!” In the heat of this unusual British heatwave. “You buy all these clothes and they never need them. We just use nappies, but I'm not going to complain about hot weather in England,”.
Sentebale was founded in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of the Basotho Royal Family. Harry met Prince Seeiso on his gap year in Lesotho and was moved to help vulnerable children and young people in the country. After ten years working in Lesotho, in November 2016, the charity launched operations in Botswana. Sentebale means 'Forget me not' in Sesotho and the name was chosen "as a memorial to the charity work of our own mothers, as well as a reminder to us all not to forget Lesotho or its children." (Prince Harry speaking at the Concert for Diana). Lesotho has the 2nd highest rate of HIV in the world and there are over 37,000 children under 14 living with HIV. The country has 360,000 orphans and around 10% of all children are vulnerable.
More from the charity:'UNAIDS reports that globally, 1,700 new HIV infections occur every day among young people, and stigma remains a major factor preventing youth accessing lifesaving health services. Despite advancements in treatment and care, young people are lagging behind on multiple fronts—knowledge of HIV, HIV testing, treatment and prevention. It is in this context that Sentebale has developed a youth centred approach, to impact the lives of young people across southern Africa.
In the last 12 months, Sentebale has significantly scaled up its programme in Lesotho and expanded into Botswana, to deliver psychosocial support to 10-to-19-year-olds who are struggling to come to terms with living with HIV. The charity now reaches a cohort of over 4,000 children and young people every month in Lesotho and Botswana.'
The fact operations have expanded to Botswana is a testament to the tireless commitment both Prince Harry and Prince Seesio have shown. The charity credits the annual Sentebale charity match as "one of the most important events" during their fundraising calendar. Below, the message from Harry and Seesio in the programme for the Polo Cup today.
Last month Harry paid a private visit to Lesotho where he opened a school.
At the International Aids Conference in Amsterdam last week, Harry joined HIV response leaders and policymakers to discuss the gaps in the HIV response for young people. He then joined Sir Elton John to launch the MenStar coalition, which will expand the diagnoses and treatment of HIV infections in men, with the aim of ultimately ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
The match saw Harry play on the Sentebale St. Regis team captained by Sentebale Ambassador Nacho Figueras, against the Royal Salute team, captained by Malcolm Borwick. Harry scored the first goal of the match.
People reports:
Harry's team won by a goal much to the delight of the Duchess.
Meghan was on hand to present the trophy and congratulate the winning team.
Meghan presents the trophy to Nacho Figureas.
And the moment of the day...A kiss for her Prince!
The event raised over £1 million for Sentebale. Below, the winning team and Meghan with guest Enda Kenny. The former Irish Taoiseach spent time with the couple during their visit to Dublin at the British Ambassador's reception.
We saw lovely scenes after the polo with the couple holding hands and joking with each other.
They held hands as they left the match. These two make quite the royal duo :)
If you would like to donate to Sentebale please click here.
People reports:
'Prince Harry sent a polo ball whizzing toward a gaggle of media capturing his charity game on Thursday — and it was a close call.
The dense, hard ball flew in at shoulder height and narrowly missed a few photographers and crashed into a fence dividing the press area from the VIP’s section, making a surprised security guard nearly jump out of his skin.
The 33-year-old recognized photographer Tim Rooke and called out, “Sorry Rookie. I was trying to give you a good shot!”
Meghan was on hand to present the trophy and congratulate the winning team.
Meghan presents the trophy to Nacho Figureas.
And the moment of the day...A kiss for her Prince!
The event raised over £1 million for Sentebale. Below, the winning team and Meghan with guest Enda Kenny. The former Irish Taoiseach spent time with the couple during their visit to Dublin at the British Ambassador's reception.
We saw lovely scenes after the polo with the couple holding hands and joking with each other.
They held hands as they left the match. These two make quite the royal duo :)
If you would like to donate to Sentebale please click here.
Meghan channeled 1950s elegance in the Carolina Herrera V-Neck Faux Wrap Midi Dress. The midnight navy denim piece features cap sleeves, a surplice neckline and a pleated midi length skirt with front pockets. The silhouette of the dress is very much reminiscent of Grace Kelly's style.
The dress is from the Resort 2019 Collection.
The Telegraph writes: The Duchess of Sussex proves she's mastered polo style in Carolina Herrera:
'Women with confidence in their style know that all it takes to put together a strong look is the right mix. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, demonstrated her mastery of the high-high mix - that’s ‘high’ as in luxury fashion, and then ‘high’ as in high-street - with the outfit she chose for the Sentebale Polo Cup on Thursday.
Meghan, supporting husband Prince Harry at the event at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, wore a classic, Fifties-style dark denim dress with a crossover bodice, belted waist and slash pockets in the full skirt- a look which emulates the mid-century chic look she has been borrowing from since her marriage in May.'
The Duchess wore her popular Aquazzura Deneuve pumps in a soft nude pink. They are available in a lower heel height at Lane Crawford.
Meghan carried the £44 J Crew Fan Rattan clutch (those in the US can take a further 30% off with code FLASH). The clutch version of the classic straw bag has proved a very popular accessory - last month Pippa Middleton carried it to Wimbledon.
Meghan accessorised with the Birks 'Bee Chic' Blue Topaz Silver Stud Earrings (with thanks to Meghan's Mirror).
Anne identified Meghan's sunglasses as the £220 Tom Ford Cat-Eye Acetate and Gold-Tone Sunglasses. They are available at Smart Buy Glasses.
With many thanks to the UFO No More team for their work identifying Meghan's look today.
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In other news, the Duke and Duchess received Harry's private secretary Edward Lane Fox yesterday. Harry invested him with the Insignia of a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order. Mr Lane Fox will be moving on from his role in the coming months. He has been a constant presence by Harry's side for last five years. Below, we see him with the couple in Dublin.
Last but not least, Harry and Meghan's joint monogram has been unveiled. Hello! reports "The intricate monogram, made up of an intertwined H and M, was spotted at the top of a letter addressed to The Today Show's Georgie Gardner, the presenter of the Australian breakfast programme. Georgie had gifted Harry and Meghan a picnic blanket on the occasion of their royal wedding in May. The palace responded by sending a letter to the TV star, which was personally signed by the couple. Meghan, who is a keen calligrapher and did Robin Thicke and Paula Patton's wedding invitations, showcased her elegant handwriting at the start and end of the letter."
It was a wonderful day at the polo!
It was a wonderful day at the polo!