The long, hot summer of Princes William and Harry playing polo may be over, but a regally-inspired new drink has got us dreaming of chukkas on the beach. HELLO! was one of the first to sample Royal Salute's 21-year-old Beach Polo Edition at an exclusive event at Coworth Park, where guests at the luxury hotel experienced a barefoot, black-tie dinner in a room carpeted in powder-fine sand.
Billed as the "King of Whisky", Royal Salute was created to mark to coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and the 21 gun salute that honoured her. It has also long been associated with polo, "the Sport of Kings", so it was only fitting that its latest tipple was unveiled during a two-day polo extravaganza at a venue closely connected with the British Royal Family.
Royal Salute's 21-year-old Beach Polo Edition was unveiled at Coworth Park
Coworth Park is where Prince Harry spent the night before he married Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle in May and he and his brother the Duke of Cambridge have regularly played polo on its world-class fields over the years. The facilities there are managed by Guards Polo Club, which was founded by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1955.
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Within easy distance of Windsor and Ascot, it is also a stone's throw from Fort Belvedere, the former home of King Edward VII and the place where he signed his abdication papers. Former England team captain and Royal Salute Polo Ambassador Malcolm Borwick, presented Royal Salute's 21-year-old Beach Polo Edition on the eve of this year's Sentebale Polo Cup in July, in which he played against the Duke of Sussex.
Prince Harry stayed at Coworth Park the night before the royal wedding
Inspired by the lingering bonfires, evocative salty winds and warm seaside air associated with the sport, the limited edition blend features a tantalising smoky flavour with soft peaty tones, rich fruits and sweet honey.
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"Beach polo is enjoying a surge in popularity around the world, driven by the beauty, playfulness and universal pull of the beach as a match day backdrop," said Malcolm, who played against the Duke of Sussex in the annual charity match and was a guest at his wedding to Meghan Markle in May.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince Harry and Malcolm Borwick have played polo together on several occasions
"As a location, it elevates the spirit of polo for spectators and players alike, bringing them closer together as sounds from the roaring crowds and thundering hooves racing towards a goal travel and mix cleanly across the sand. It's a thrill for me to see this trend in polo be matched by innovation in Scotch whisky, my other passion."
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