Royal Courtiers Reportedly Discourage Prince William from Playing Polo, Viewing it as 'Elitist'
Senior figures in the sport express disappointment over a perceived decline in royal engagement with polo, a tradition with deep family ties.
Prince William is reportedly playing polo less frequently, a shift that has led to disappointment among senior figures in the sport. A prominent figure within the polo community claims that courtiers surrounding the heir to the throne view the sport as elitist and out of step with modern sensibilities, preferring the Prince and the Princess of Wales to focus on charitable endeavors.
Polo has a long-standing association with the Royal Family. Prince Philip founded a club in Windsor Great Park, and King Charles played the sport for four decades, despite sustaining numerous injuries.
Sources close to the sport suggest that courtiers believe William and Catherine should concentrate on causes such as environmentalism, homelessness, and early years education. However, the polo grandee countered this view, stating that William himself recognizes the sport's charitable fundraising potential. "You find me something else where I can raise £1million for charity in one hour and I’ll do it," the grandee quoted the Prince as saying. This year's charity match reportedly raised £1.1 million, with William now participating in only one such event annually.
Prince William and his brother Prince Harry learned to play polo as children, receiving coaching from Claire Tomlinson, whose family owned the Beaufort Polo Club near Highgrove. Prince George, who recently began attending Eton College, may also take up the sport, as the institution has a polo team.
Kensington Palace has declined to comment on the matter. However, royal sources have emphasized William's annual polo match as an illustration of his continued commitment to the sport.