Charity plea to Princes: ‘Don’t pull plug on polo’
PRINCE Harry’s decision to cut back on his polo-playing after marrying Meghan Markle has hit one of his best friend’s charities.
The Henry Van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, set up after the 18-year-old died in a car crash in 2002, warns it expects to suffer a loss of income after its joint patrons, Harry and brother Prince William, stopped playing so many charity polo matches.
‘ Unfortunately, our patrons, who have generously supported the fund with the proceeds from their polo matches for nine years, have decided to stop playing,’ say the trustees, who include Henry’s brother Thomas — a lifelong friend of Harry and William, and godfather to Princess Charlotte.
‘This will have a significant impact on our unrestricted income, which we have relied on to cover administration expenses and the cost of our tertiary education programme.’
Earlier this year, I disclosed that the Audi Polo Challenge would not go ahead amid claims the car-maker was asked to increase massively its donation to Prince Harry’s good causes. Kensington Palace denied suggestions that Audi was asked to donate £1 million — and that Meghan inspired the increase.
Last year, Harry raised £1 million for his African charity when he played in the Sentebale Polo Cup, which he hosts annually.
‘This is the sort of money they want to be making through polo from now on,’ said Malcolm Borwick of Royal Salute, which sponsored the cup in 2017.
The Van Straubenzee Fund trustees add: ‘We have been informed that [Harry and William] are planning an alternative fundraising initiative for us and other charities.’
A Kensington Palace source is keen to point out that the Princes continue to support the fund and played in a charity match in July.