7/6/2023
People
Kate Middleton Relaxes with a Glass of Champagne as She Cheers on Prince William at Charity Polo Match
The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the annual charity polo match that raises money for causes close to their hearts
By Simon Perry Updated on July 6, 2023 01:57PM EDT
Kate Middleton stepped out on Thursday for an afternoon of polo fun — with Prince William on the field!
The Princess of Wales, 41, watched her husband as he took part in the annual match at Guards Polo Club, a short drive from their home at Windsor, which raised money for almost a dozen charities and causes that are close to the heart of the royal couple. Included in the causes were Prince William's homelessness charities and Princess Kate's longstanding hospice support, East Anglia Children's Hospices (EACH) and her baby bank charity.
The Royal Charity Polo Day raised over $1.2 million for the charities. That takes the total amount raised in 12 years to more than $15 million for “well-deserving causes that The Prince and Princess are passionate about,“ their office said in a statement.
The organizations benefitting from the Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Cup 2023 were Mental Health Innovations, Wales Air Ambulance, Centrepoint, The Passage, Mountain Rescue England & Wales, Foundling Museum, Forward Trust, East Anglia Children’s Hospices and Baby Basics, Little Village and AberNecessities.
Princess Kate was photographed looking relaxed on the sidelines, wearing sunglasses and holding a glass of champagne.
In addition to raising her arms in the air to cheer on her husband, she was also spotted chatting with Peter Phillips, Prince William's cousin!
As Prince William stood out the first two periods, known as chukkas, Princess Kate stayed with him and some of the team to watch the opening moments of the tournaments.
Then William — playing for U.S. Polo Association — took to the field for the third chukka onwards. He played defense and with the number 4 on his jersey.
At one point during the match, Prince William's opponent wasn't giving a foul, prompting the commentator to joke over the the sound system that the referee “won't be on the Honours List“ next year.
Prince William had a chance to score during the third period, with the commentator hyping him up, prompting Kate to turn her attention to the field from her conversation to watch. When the shot went wide, the commentator blamed a rogue mole who had popped up through the grass.
The Prince of Wales later scored to tie up the game, breaking his polo stick in the process.
At the end of the game, Princess Kate stepped onto the field (in heels!) to present Prince William with the trophy. They shared cute kisses on the cheek, and Kate gave her husband a sweet rub on the arm with a smile before he accepted the prize.
The couple then posed side-by-side for photos, Prince William proudly holding the trophy.