Prince Harry fell from his polo pony this afternoon as he played in a charity match in South Africa.
The fifth in line to the throne toppled from his mount during a clash in the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, a major fundraiser in Cape Town for the charity he set up to help children suffering with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho, Southern Africa.
Fortunately the prince, who minutes earlier had scored a goal, appeared unhurt and he quickly got to his feet and walked off the field. Within minutes the royal daredevil was back in play.
Although a favourite sport of the royal family, polo hasn't always proved to be the safest. Harry's father, Prince Charles, once broke his arm during a match.
 |
| Embarrassing: The Prince was playing alongside one of England's leading professional players, Malcom Borwick, against a team featuring one of the sport's most famous faces, Nacho Figueras |
 |
| Taking a tumble: Prince Harry fell from his polo pony this afternoon as he played in a charity match in South Africa |
 |
| Heavy landing: Fortunately the prince, who minutes earlier had scored a goal, appeared unhurt and he quickly got to his feet |
 |
| Painful: The fifth in line to the throne toppled from his mount during a clash in the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, a major fundraiser in Cape Town for the charity he set up to help children suffering with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho, Southern Africa |
At the end of the match, just moments before the final whistle went, Harry fell off his pony for a second time and gave a self-depreciating bow.
His repeat tumble prompted opposition professional Nacho Figueras, a friend of the prince, to mockingly fall off his own mount, leaving Harry in fits of laughter.
Prince Harry's Sentebale team eventually lost 7-8 to Royal Salute, although the royal did make it onto the scoreboard.
At a prize giving ceremony Harry joked and hugged with the other players, particularly Nacho, showing there were no hard feelings.
After showering and changing the prince will later join donors and supporters at the Val de Vie for a fundraising dinner, where he will also give a short speech.
The event is estimated to raise just under $1 million.
Prince Harry looked relaxed earlier in the day as he arrived into Cape Town ahead of the major charity polo match.
The prince sported Ray Ban sunglasses and white jeans before he travelled to the picturesque Val de Vie estate in the heart of South African wine country.
Harry visited Lesotho on Thursday to open a new residential centre for affected children, the Mamohato Children's Centre.
Harry will today play alongside one of England's leading professional players, Malcom Borwick, against a team featuring one of the sport's most famous faces, Nacho Figueras.
 |
| Down on his luck: Despite his dramatic fall, the prince showed no signs of injury and quickly got back to playing the game |
The event has been a regular fixture for the organisation Harry founded in 2006 to help vulnerable children in the impoverished country of Lesotho.
Cathy Ferrier, Sentebale's chief executive, said: 'Sentebale's annual polo fundraising event has gone from strength to strength over six consecutive years.
'We hope to raise even more money this year enabling us to care for and support many more children in Lesotho and across other southern African countries in the near future.'
Among the guests invited were actress Laura Main, a star of the popular BBC series Call The Midwife, South African former Olympic gold medal winning swimmer Ryk Neethling, and British spoken word artist George the Poet, who performed at the opening ceremony of the Mamohato centre.
Watch the video here :
Source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3337452/Harry-takes-tumble-Prince-falls-pony-Cape-Town-polo-match-just-minutes-later-s-straight-horse.html
0 comments:
Post a Comment