Prince Harry was introduced to spectators using his former surname rather than his current one at the 2025 St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship in Aspen.
Following the match, an announcer addressed the crowd over the public address system, in footage shown on social media.
The announcer said: "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, please welcome onto the podium the runners-up of the 2025 St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship.
"Please give it up for Aspen Valley Polo Cup: Harry Wales, Grant Ganzi and Nic Roldan."
Duke of Sussex called 'Harry Wales' during snowy polo match in bizarre moment
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Harry has been pictured playing polo with Mr Roldan as far back as 2010, with Prince William also participating in previous matches. Meanwhile, the 41-year-old duke was also photographed playing polo alongside Mr Ganzi back in 2022.
The Duke of Sussex's team claimed second place at the Colorado tournament, which took place at the Aspen Valley Polo Club earlier this week.
The use of "Harry Wales" was notable given that the duke has gone by Sussex since marrying Meghan Markle in 2018. The reason for the announcer's choice of surname remains unexplained.
The duchess herself previously addressed the family's naming convention during her Netflix programme, With Love, Meghan.
Prince Harry is an exceptionally talented polo player | GETTYSpeaking with friend Mindy Kaling, she remarked: "It's funny too that you keep saying Meghan Markle, you know I'm Sussex now."
This confirmation made clear that the couple, along with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, identify using Sussex as their family name rather than any previous alternatives.
The Wales surname has historical significance for the royal brothers, Prince William and Prince Harry.
During their upbringing, both William and Harry adopted this name because their father held the title Prince of Wales at the time.
Nacho Figueras and Prince Harry have been good friends for 17 years | GETTYWith King Charles now on the throne, the naming convention has shifted to the next generation.
Prince William's three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — are expected to use Wales as their surname going forward.
Harry's use of the name during his youth makes the Aspen announcement a curious throwback, though whether this was a deliberate choice or a simple oversight by organisers has not been clarified.
The duke faced off against his longtime companion, Nacho Figueras, during the snowy tournament.
Nic Roldan, Prince Harry and Prince William pictured after a polo match in 2013
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Harry and the Argentine polo star first became acquainted in 2006 at a charity event for Sentebale and have participated in numerous matches together since.
Mounted on a brown horse, Harry sported a sky-blue quarter-zip sweatshirt from Casablanca paired with white trousers. His horse even featured coordinating leg wraps in matching colours.
Though the duchess remained at home in California, she expressed her support through social media.
Meghan posted an Instagram story featuring her husband in action, accompanied by a playful caption: "Oh, hello there."