Prince William and Prince Harry will saddle up this summer to help raise money for charity. The royal brothers are joining forces to take part in a series of polo matches in support of the organisations they support as patrons – something they have done annually since 2007.To date, William and Harry have helped raise £9.5million for charities through various polo tournaments, including the Sentebale Polo Cup, and this summer's matches will see this total pass the £10million mark.
William and Harry will take part in a number of polo matches this summer to raise money for charity
In 2015 they played eight matches, raising over £800,000 to benefit 17 organisations – and they hope to raise a similar amount again this year.
The fixtures kick off this weekend, with William and Harry taking to the field at the private Audi Polo Challenge at Coworth Park in Berkshire. Money raised from the event will be donated to Sentebale, Tusk, The Royal Marsden and WellChild.
The two brothers raised over £800,000 for 17 charities last year
The list of 17 charities is completed by the English Schools Swimming Association, Fields in Trust, Irish Guards Appeal, MapAction, SkillForce, RFU Injured Players Foundation, The Household Cavalry Operational Casualties Fun and the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust.
Last year's Audi Polo Challenge drew in a number of famous faces, including Emily Blunt, Chris Hemsworth, Clive Owen and Samuel L Jackson, who were all there to watch the princes in action. Samuel later shared a photo of himself and Harry at the event, writing alongside: "RH Prince Harry was on the winning team! Met him years ago at St Andrews, good kid then, good Man now!"
Throughout the summer, they will continue to take part in matches to raise money for other charities close to their hearts, including Child Bereavement, Centrepoint, England and Wales Mountain Rescue, Walking with the Wounded, and the Henry van Straunbenzee memorial Trust – established in memory of their late friend.
Kate and Prince George attended the Festival of Polo last June
Royal watchers will of course be hoping that the Duchess of Cambridge will attend one of the summer events to show her support. Both Kate and Prince George attended the Festival of Polo at the Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire last June to cheer on William and Harry – and the Duchess might well choose to enjoy another family day out this year, perhaps this time with both George and Princess Charlotte.