The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, has taken to the stage in Aspen, Colorado, as he prepares for a high-profile sporting challenge. He is gearing up to compete in the World Snow Polo Championships, where he will face his longtime friend and Argentine polo professional, Nacho Figueras.
A Storied Polo Rivalry and Friendship
Social media footage has shown Prince Harry posing for photographs at a venue ahead of the competitive event, which is scheduled for December 17 and 18 at Rio Grande Park. Harry's team will include players Grant Ganzi and Nic Roldan, setting the stage for a head-to-head match against Nacho's squad.
The pair's friendship is believed to date back to 2007. Over the years, they have played alongside each other in numerous matches. Figueras, often called the 'David Beckham of Polo', has emerged as one of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's most steadfast supporters. He has publicly praised the couple in magazine interviews and television appearances, and was featured in their Netflix documentary series.
Past Victories and Charity Connections
The upcoming tournament adds a new chapter to their friendly sporting rivalry. Last year, Harry secured a 3-1 victory over the professional player during a charity polo match in Miami. That game benefited Sentebale, the charity the Prince founded in 2006 to support children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana.
Following that win, Harry was presented with a trophy and shared a passionate kiss with his wife, Meghan Markle, in front of photographers. In 2022, he also won a charity tournament in Colorado, scoring five goals to help his team claim the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup in Aspen.
A Confidant in the Royal Romance
Nacho Figueras's connection to the Sussexes runs deep. He witnessed the early days of Harry and Meghan's romance and was a guest at their 2018 wedding. In the couple's Netflix documentary, he recounted how Harry confided in him after a first date with Meghan in 2017.
"He looked at us and said 'guys, I met a girl, we've just met but I think this might be the one'," Nacho recalled. "You could tell right away that those eyes were those of someone who'd fallen in love." He has also described Meghan as "incredible" for "giving up everything for the man she loves."
Prince Harry resigned as patron of Sentebale in March this year after the charity's new chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka, made a series of allegations about his behaviour. Subsequently, Sentebale has removed polo matches from its fundraising activities following the Duke's departure.
As the World Snow Polo Championships approach, all eyes will be on the Colorado snowfields for this latest instalment of a sporting friendship that has endured for over 15 years.
