Prince Harry falls off horse playing polo

Daily Mail

28 Nov, 2015 08:45 PM2 mins to read

The fifth in line to the throne toppled from his mount during a clash in the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup. Photo / Reuters

Prince Harry fell from his polo pony yesterday (NZT) as he played in a charity match in South Africa.

The fifth in line to the throne toppled from his mount during a clash in the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, a major fundraiser in Cape Town for the charity he set up to help children suffering with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho, Southern Africa.

Fortunately the prince, who minutes earlier had scored a goal, appeared unhurt and he quickly got to his feet and walked off the field. Within minutes the royal daredevil was back in play.

Prince Harry bends over in pain after falling from his horse. Photo / Getty

But in getting back on his horse without his helmet, Prince Harry treated the crowd to a quick glimpse of his growing bald patch.

Although a favourite sport of the royal family, polo hasn't always proved to be the safest. Harry's father, Prince Charles, once broke his arm during a match.

At the end of the match in Cape Town, just moments before the final whistle went, Harry fell off his pony a second time and gave a self-deprecating bow.

His repeat tumble prompted opposition professional Nacho Figueras, a friend of the prince, to mockingly fall off his own mount, leaving Harry in fits of laughter.

Prince Harry's Sentebale team eventually lost 7-8 to Royal Salute, although the royal did make it on to the scoreboard.

At a prizegiving ceremony Harry joked with and hugged the other players, particularly Figueras, showing there were no hard feelings.