Prince Harry may be all smiles and laughter in the Singapore limelight, but on the inside he is missing his wife, according to his best friend and polo opposite number Nacho Figueras.
The Duke of Sussex, 38, played in the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup at Singapore Polo Club on Saturday, a sporting event he set up which aims to raise money for children affected by poverty, inequality and HIV/AIDS.
He lined up for the Royal Salute Sentebale Team, taking on the Singapore Polo Club Team which was captained by 46-year-old Figueras.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Figueras said: “We miss our wives very much.
Britain's Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, speaks with Argentinian polo player Nacho Figueras as they play in the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup at the Singapore Polo Club, in Singapore August 12, 2023.REUTERS/EDGAR SU“This was a very short trip, although it’s a few days, it’s a lot of travelling for 24 hours in Japan and a few hours here, but we miss them. We wish they were here.”
However, the Argenitian polo professional did concede that it had been lovely to catch up with Harry: “Being able to spend so much time together has been a wonderful thing.”
Prince Harry had previously stopped off in Tokyo with Figueras to attend the International Sports Promotion Society (ISPS Handa) summit on the power of sport and philanthropy on August 9.
While in Japan, the pair took some time out to go ‘shopping for their wives,’ as they struck a pose for the camera wearing women’s sunglasses.
Prince Harry struck a pose for the camera with close friend Nacho Figueras. INSTAGRAM/NACHOFIGUERASAt the ISPS summit, Harry praised the “warmth, compassion and generosity” of the Japanese people and said that he would “happily live here if you’d have me.”
The Duke said: “I've been involved in many charities for most of my life and I get a huge amount of fulfilment giving back to as many people as possible.
“My life is charity, always has been, always will be.”
Agreeing with the Duke’s self-analysis, Figueras noted to reporters: “He’s very committed. That’s what he is. It’s in his DNA and that’s why I like him so much.”
Over the last decade, the charity has reportedly raised more than £10million.
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, poses with Argentinian polo player Nacho Figueras, Singapore Polo Club President Lawrence Khong, Chair of Sentebale Sophie Chandauka, and former All Blacks player Dan Carter for the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup at the Singapore Polo Club, Singapore, August 12, 2023. REUTERS/EDGAR SUSentebale was originally founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006.
Harry previously shared a statement about the upcoming visit, which read: "The annual Polo Cup is essential to Sentebale's vital work ensuring children and young people are healthy, resilient and able to thrive.
"The funds raised this year will support our Clubs and Camps programme, which provides intensive psychosocial support to young people living with HIV.
"In a time where being HIV positive is no longer a death sentence, we are empowering young people to know their status, stay healthy, and eliminate the stigma so that they can break the cycle.
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Britain’s Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, plays in the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup at the Singapore Polo Club in Singapore August 12, 2023.
REUTERS/Edgar Su
"We are delighted to return to the renowned Singapore Polo Club in August, and are once again enormously grateful for the polo community and our sponsors, in particular ISPS Handa, for their ongoing commitment to Lesotho and Botswana's youth."
The Duke previously played polo in Singapore in 2017, when the region played host to the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup.
Meanwhile, back across the pond, Meghan Markle has been spotted wearing a blue-and-white circular anti-stress patch.
Developed by NuCalm, the patches are said to provide ‘resonance and frequencies’ that slow down cellular actions to mimic the “body’s normal transition to a peaceful, restorative night’s sleep,” according to the manufacturer’s website.
