Britain's Prince Harry saddles up for Singapore charity polo game; helps raise over RM4.5mil for charity

(From left) Prince Harry, Argentinian polo player Nacho Figueras and former All Black great Dan Carter at the Singapore Polo club on Aug 12. - ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

SINGAPORE, Aug 12 (Agencies): A smiling Prince Harry saddled up for a charity game of polo in Singapore on Saturday.

The Duke of Sussex's team Royal Salute Sentebale took on the Singapore Polo Club, with Argentinian polo legend and close friend of Harry's, Nacho Figueras, turning out for the home side at the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup.

The match ended in a 7-7 tie, with the trophy shared by both teams.

Proceeds from the match will go to Prince Harry's Sentebale foundation, co-founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, which supports young people living with HIV and AIDS in Africa.

The prince last visited Singapore in 2017, when he played polo to raise funds for the same charity.

The Straits Times reported that He helped raise around US$1 million (S$1.35 million - RM4.5 million) by participating in the match, and even managed to skilfully score two goals.

Watched on by some 260 guests, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, appeared at ease as he and Figueras, who are good friends, greeted each other with mischievous grins as soon-to-be competitors on the pitch.

There was also aristocracy of a different kind at the club on Saturday, with rugby royalty and former New Zealand All Blacks star Dan Carter gracing the event as an ISPS Handa ambassador.

The annual Polo Cup has raised more than £11 million (S$18.8 million) for Sentebale since 2010, when it was played in Barbados.

Sentebale is a charity founded in 2006 by Prince Harry and Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso to provide psychosocial support for children in southern Africa who are living with HIV. - Agencies