While every member of the British royal family has things that make them unique, there are a few defining characteristics you see appearing generation after generation — impeccable style (among the women), an ever-changing hairline (among the men), and, of course, a love of polo. Ever since the 1950s, members of the House of Windsor have been photographed watching and taking part in polo matches from around the world, from the Queen Mother all the way to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently appearing at a tournament in Santa Barbara.
Known as the “sport of kings” and with a lengthy heritage, polo has been around since the sixth century, per Polo Museum. With its rich background, it’s no wonder the Royal family loves polo. The Queen Mother would frequently take her children Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth to polo matches, which Elizabeth adored because of the horses, per the Standard.
Since then, nearly every member of the Windsor family has played in or watched a match, with many of the men competing to raise money for charity. For example, Prince Harry notably played in honor of his charity Sentebale which helps children with HIV with a plan called the Mamohato Programme.
From Meghan Markle’s glamorous ensembles to Queen Elizabeth arriving in matches around the world, the Windsors’ love for polo may never falter. See photos of the Royal family at polo matches over the years below.
1954
Back in 1954, The Duke of Edinburgh was playing for the Navy against the Army in an exhilarating polo match. Queen Elizabeth II, right, Princess Anne, Prince Charles, and Countess Edwina Mountbatten were in attendance.
1956
Queen Elizabeth II and her children Princess Anne and Prince Charles watched the final match of the Smith’s lawn polo cup in 1956.
1957
Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, and Queen Elizabeth were watching polo together in 1957.
1977
Along with competing, the Royal family loves playing polo recreationally. Back in 1977, Robin Armstrong and Prince Charles of Wales were frequently seen playing polo.
1977
Prince Philip and his son Prince Edward also loved polo, along with Philip’s son Prince Charles. Back in 1977, Philip and Edward watched Charles represent Young England in an international match at the Guards Polo Club.
1983
Throughout the 1980s, Princess Diana arrived at many a polo match in which her husband Prince Charles played. Here, she’s seen wearing a diamond-set Vacheron Constantin 4481 gifted to her by Charles. Per Express, she would wear it as a good luck charm for her husband when he played. During this 1983 match, she wore that and a polka-dotted number that matched the setting.
1986
Back in 1986, Prince Andrew and his fiancée at the time, Sarah Ferguson arrived at a polo match at the Guards’ Club. A little over a month after this event, the pair married.
1986
In 1986, Prince Charles and Princess Diana attended a polo match in Florida.
1988
Back in 1988, Princess Diana gave her husband Prince Charles a big smooch while giving him his prize. She typically was the one to hand him his prizes in polo matches.
2002
It seems as though everyone in the Windsor family has a strong love for polo. Back in 2002, a young Prince William and Prince Harry were frequently seen practiving.
2004
In 2004, Queen Elizabeth II presented the coveted Queen’s Cup to Carlos Gracida at the Guards Polo Club.
2004
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice arrived at a polo match in Windsor Park in matching white blazers and ornate skirts in 2004.
2011
Less than three months after their fairytale wedding, Kate Middleton and Prince William arrived in style at the Foundation Polo Challenge at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. That same night, the pair were whisked away to the BAFTAs, where Kate wore that stunning lilac Alexander McQueen gown.
2013
During Prince Harry’s speech at the 2013 Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, he made headlines for his powerful words. Per the Royal family website, he spoke about his charity Sentebale, specifically the Mamohato Programme. He said the charity has a plan to build “network clubs and week-long camps for children living with HIV,” adding: “This will allow us to help four times the number of children that we are currently able to do…I urge you to come and see our work in Lesotho and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support you are giving us today, which will enable that work to continue.”
2013
The same year, the Queen arrived at the Cartier Queen’s Cup Final at Guards Polo Club in her usual color-block ensemble.
2018
While Prince William was playing polo for the Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy, the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte were having the time of their lives playing around in the field.
2018
Can we talk about the look of love Meghan Markle gave Prince Harry back in 2018? During the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup, Harry was back playing polo while his doting wife looked on with joy.
2021
Recently, in 2021, the Queen arrived in style at the Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Windsor Cup Final. This was only a few months after her husband Prince Philip’s death.
2022
Most recently, in May 2022, Meghan Markle channeled Old Hollywood glamour when she and Prince Harry arrived at the Lisle Nixon Memorial Cup in California.
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