Polo is also a popular pastime with members of the Royal Family. King Edward VIII was a keen player when he was Prince of Wales. During a tour of India in 1921-2 he introduced his friend, the future Earl Mountbatten of Burma, to the sport. The Earl in turn encouraged his nephew, The Duke of Edinburgh, to play. His Royal Highness went on to co-found the Household Brigade Polo Club at Smith’s Lawn in Windsor Great Park and played there regularly before retiring from the game in 1970.

The Prince of Wales was given his first polo pony San Quinina at the age of fifteen and first played in a team captained by The Duke of Edinburgh in 1963. He played for Young England at Smith’s Lawn in 1972. He retired from the sport in 2005, and both his sons, Princes William and Harry are now keen players.