Princes William and Harry went head-to-head in a friendly game of polo on Sunday. The royal brothers, who are both experienced polo players, delighted crowds when they arrived at the Billingbear Polo Club in Berkshire. William, 31, and Harry, 29, were taking part in the De Beers Diamond Jewellers Royal Charity Polo Cup, in a bid to raise money for their chosen good causes. Entering into the competitive spirit, the Duke of Cambridge led one team into battle on the field against his younger brother Harry.
Princes William and Harry went head-to-head in a charity polo match at the weekend
Dressed in a black De Beers polo shirt and white trousers, William captained the Baku Guards team and was joined by professionals Simon Holland, Lyndon Lea and world number one player Facundo Pieres. This was the Baku Guards' first year playing as a team and its patron Nasib Piriev said it was "[their] utmost privilege to have Prince William playing for [them] on this special occasion". Harry, meanwhile, headed the King Power Team made up of Gonzalito Pieres, who has an impressive ten-goal handicap, and Thai players Aiyawatt "Top" Srivaddhanaprabha and Talapichet "Ton" Srivaddhanaprabha.
The royal brothers are both experienced polo players
Around 300 guests watched the chukkas being played in Berkshire. William and Harry showed themselves to be well-matched opponents as the game came to a draw of 6-6. The duo, who often play in matches to support charities close to their heart, would "most definitely" be able to play for England had they chosen to devote more time to the sport, Luke Tomlinson, captain of England polo quartet, told The Telegraph. "Both their Royal Highnesses are excellent sports people and very good polo players, naturally," said Luke.
The Duke and Harry taking part in a charity polo match in 2012
After the match, William and Harry joined spectators at a lavish dinner at the polo club. Guests were invited to take part in auctions to raise money for charities chosen by the royal guests. Good causes singled out included HALO, ESSA, England and Wales Mountain Rescue and Walking With The Wounded. Ed Parker, co-founder of Walking With The Wounded, recently spoke to HELLO! Online about Harry's involvement with his charity, which helps injured military personnel find employment after their service. "Having Harry is the difference between us being where we are now and where we would be otherwise, which I think would be significantly smaller," Ed told HELLO! Online. "He's a soldier himself and he's got firsthand experience on what these men and women have been through. "Of course he is quite special, but after you get away from the bright lights and the flashing camera bulbs he's an ordinary guy."