St. Regis Grabs the Santebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup 2018

Santebale Polo Cup is an epitome of one of the world's most eminent philanthropic and humanitarian sports-based charity run annually to ameliorate the lives of thousands of children infected with HIV in the southern parts of Africa. Santebale originates in the language of Sesotho signifying "forget me not" a vow taken by HRH The Duke of Sussex to the children of Africa. Santebale was established in 2006 by Harry alongside prince Seeiso of the Lesotho Royal family with the oath to provide education, care and psychosocial support for children living with the malignant disease.



Prince Harry in Barbados launched the Santebale Polo Cup in 2010 marking an important event of his fundraising calendar and the inaugural Santebale Polo Cup was a huge success.

The 2017 Santebale Polo Cup was organised by the Singapore Polo Club and received the sponsorship of Royal Salute for the seven consecutive years. Other feted sponsors including BMW, Asia and British Airways, ISPS Handa and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts had brought the charity cup to the shores of Asia for the first time since its inception. The 2018 tournament was played at the spectacular lawns of Berkshire Polo Club at the Winsor's Royal County on a rather hot day and attracted near about 300 worlds most illustrious personalities including Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.

Even though Prince Harry wanted to escape the heat as he reportedly told, "I was hoping to avoid the stifling heat here in London. Sitting and watching polo is one thing. Riding a horse to chase a ball is quite another. But this virus is striking back as a result of complacent across the world. We are working hard to break down discrimination... We run clubs in Lesotho and Botswana to reach 400,000 children every month. We are giving kids the tools they need to lead long, happy, and regular lives."



The event was markedly fraught with the Royal ambience as the guests acquired an exclusive viewing from St. Regis marquee. St. Regis brand icon like the Bloody Mary Cocktails and an afternoon high tea were served alongside the soothing jazz tunes from Jazz at Lincoln wafting through the air. Nacho Figueras, a Santebale ambassador and a polo aficionado captained St. Regis team against the Royal Salute. The duke of Sussex played for the St. Regis team on which Figueras jest brought smiles across the faces "We usually play against each other, but now that he's married, we can finally play on the same team". In an exhilarating performance St. Regis defeated Royal Salute team by one point as the game closed on the final score of 5-4.

As the curtained drew on the match and trophy ceremony unfolded, none other than the Duchess of Sussex herself came forward to present her husband not only with a coruscating cup but also a kiss, which evinced the love out of the tender hearts of all spectators making the hot London day end in a pleasantly ceremonious way.

Picture Credits:Derek Momodu
Picture Credits: @ISPSGolf
Picture Credits:Chris Jackson/Getty Images