As Harry’s new documentary turns the spotlight on polo, photos from the Mail’s archive reveals how the Sport of Kings has captivated Britain’s Royal Family for decades

With its heady mix of horses, competition and tradition, polo – dubbed the Sport of Kings – has captivated Britain’s male royals for decades.

Their wives and girlfriends often get involved, too, with biographer Andrew Morton describing it as ‘a royal rite of passage’ for the female members of the Royal Family in his book Meghan: A Hollywood Princess.

Queen Elizabeth II would often cheer Prince Philip on, as would Princess Diana when Prince Charles played.

The Duchess of Sussex’s first public appearance with Prince Harry was at a polo match, while Kate greeted Prince William after a match with a kiss.

Harry‘s new five-part Netflix documentary titled Polo is set to be released soon and will shine the spotlight on elite global players of the sport.

King George VI introduced the Royal Family to polo and enjoyed both watching and playing the game.

The Duke of York, later crowned King George VI, playing in a polo match at the Ranelagh Club in south-west London in 1922

Prince William, pictured with Prince Harry, takes aim at the ball during a match at the Beaufort Club in the Cotswolds in 2002

Harry and Meghan share a kiss after the prince won a charity match in 2018

He served as chairman of the Ranelagh Club in south-west London, a report in the Daily Mail in 1930 shows.

The young prince played in many matches and was pictured after a game in Maldon in 1932.

In 1937, he took part in a Lords versus the Commons match and was photographed on a horse, holding a mallet.

Prince Philip, like his father-in-law, was also a keen polo player. 

He started playing when he was young encouraged by his uncle Lord Mountbatten.

The Duke of Edinburgh formed his own polo club in 1955, called the Household Brigade Club, which was based at Windsor Great Park.

In 1969, it became Guards and Philip served as the club’s president until his death in 2021.

His enthusiasm for the sport was demonstrated in 1967 when he joined in an impromptu bicycle polo match at Windsor Castle.

Philip had to carefully balance steering the bike with one hand and holding the mallet with another.

Queen Mary presenting the Duke of York’s polo cup to Louis Mountbatten at Ranelagh while the future George VI watches on in 1931

George VI pictured at a Lords versus the Commons polo game in 1937

George VI, holding his polo equipment, after playing in a match in Maldon in 1932

He fell off his bicycle three times and ‘his antics had the Queen, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Kent roaring with laughter,’ the Daily Mail reported at the time. 

During his polo career, the Duke became one of the country’s top players and even represented England. 

The Duke of Edinburgh eventually ‘hung up his polo sticks’ at the age of 50 in 1971, after 22 years of playing the sport.

His decision came after he continued to suffer from ‘synovitis-inflammation’ in his wrist.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said at the time: ‘Prince Charles has been displaying an increasing interest in polo and there can be no doubt that some of his father’s ponies will be passed to him.’

The official added: ‘There is a strong possibility that he [Prince Philip] may become a polo umpire.’

Prince Philip laughs after falling off his bicycle during a polo match in 1967

The Duke of Edinburgh with his uncle, Louis Mountbatten, after a polo match in Malta in 1952 

Prince Charles with his father Philip and Queen Elizabeth after a polo match in Windsor in 1967

Charles played in his first competitive polo match in August 1965.

He scored two goals while the Queen and Prince Philip watched and his team, Rangers, won.

A palace official said at the time: ‘Prince Charles put up a fine performance against seasoned players.’ 

Charles went on to become one of the country’s top ten players during his career and helped to raise an estimated £12million through charity matches, according to the Mail. 

The Duchess of York’s father, Ronald Ferguson, coached both Charles and Philip. Sarah reportedly met Prince Andrew as a child at a polo match. 

Charles reportedly met his second wife, Camilla, at a polo game in 1970.

He retired from the sport in 2005 aged 57 after playing for more than 40 years.

Prince Charles with son Harry at a polo game in Cirencester Park, Gloucestershire, in 1999

The Queen with grandsons Harry and William watching a polo game in 1987

Charles at a polo game in Tisbury, Wiltshire, in 1994

Charles has passed on his passion for polo to his sons William and Harry, who have played since they were teenagers.

Following in the footsteps of their late mother-in-law Diana, Kate and Meghan have also been spotted on the sidelines watching their husbands play.

‘It is something of a royal rite of passage,’ Andrew Morton wrote in Meghan: A Hollywood Princess.

‘Some of the best – and most affectionate – photographs ever taken of Princess Diana were when she attended polo matches involving Prince Charles,’ he writes.

Meghan watched Harry play polo in May 2017 at Coworth Park in Berkshire at what was to be their first public event together. 

She clapped and cheered on the prince from the royal box at the charity match.

Meghan watches Harry take part in a polo game at Coworth Park in Berkshire in 2017

William and Kate join in the fun at the Royal Charity Polo Cup in Windsor last year

Chelsy Davy, Harry’s former girlfriend, Princess Anne’s daughter Zara and Kate, now the Princess of Wales, watch a game at Tedworth Park Polo Club, Wiltshire, in 2006

Harry and William take part in a game at Tedworth Polo Club in Wiltshire to raise money for charity in 2002

Harry ‘is by nature very optimistic as a person and always pushing boundaries, always challenging people, and that’s how he plays polo,’ professional player Malcolm Borwick has told the Express.

Although he now lives in California, the Duke of Sussex still plays polo and, in April this year, his team won a match in Miami to help raise funds for Sentebale, the charity which Harry founded in 2006.

William ‘is gifted because he has had to overcome the fact that he is left-handed and he has to play polo with his right hand,’ a commentator has told the Express.

Kate often watches her husband play in charity matches and the couple have been photographed sharing a kiss after a game.