On Thursday, Prince Harry flew from his Montecito home to Aspen, Colorado, to participate in a charity event close to his heart.
Prince Harry participated in the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup, which raises funds for a charity that helps vulnerable children in Southern Africa affected by extreme poverty, inequality, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Meghan, the Duke’s wife, was not in attendance at the polo match, as she remained in California with the couple’s young children, Archie, two, and Lilibet, two months old.
As they played against the Royal Salute and the US Polo Assn. teams, Harry was joined on the field by Sentebale Ambassador and Argentine polo player, Nacho Figueras.
The Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso founded Sentebale in 2006. In the Sesotho language, Sentebale means “forget-me-not,” and it represents a pledge to remember Southern Africa’s most vulnerable children.
The Polo Cup was postponed last year due to the pandemic, and this year’s event will be significantly smaller. The Duke is donating his time and honoring his personal commitment to donate a portion of the proceeds from his upcoming memoir by committing $1.5 million (£1.1 million) to Sentebale to help meet the need for additional support.
“Our refocused mission at Sentebale is about addressing the most-immediate needs of vulnerable children in Southern Africa, helping them access vital health services, receive necessary care, and build skills to be more resilient and self-sufficient in the future,” Harry said in a statement released before the match.
“We are grateful to our gracious hosts in Aspen, ISPS Handa and the many other sponsors, and to everyone involved in making this year’s match not only possible, but also safe for donors, players, staff, and the entire community.”
“I’m thrilled to be able to support Sentebale both in person and financially through a separate charitable donation to meet this immediate need by participating in the Sentebale Polo Cup.”
“This is one of several donations I plan to make to charitable organizations, and I’m grateful to be able to help children and communities who are in desperate need.”
