News

Actions

Prince Harry in Wellington for polo match

Posted at 7:22 PM, May 03, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-04 17:45:02-04

UPDATE:

 

EARLIER:

Prince Harry will be in Wellington Wednesday for a charity polo match, and the news has residents excited.

"He's super cute. I think it's very awesome that he plays polo. It's a very difficult sport to play," said Molly Cuthbertson, 19.

Timeline: Royal visits to our area

Molly is spending the summer working at Tackeria in Wellington. Her uncle, Tony Coppola, is the owner. Tony will also be at Wednesday's match, but Molly wasn't able to attend.

"I think it's great for this place that was just a small little village fifteen years ago and now it's booming with the equestrian industry," Molly said.

Tony has been an announcer at polo matches for decades. He said he called a game featuring Prince Charles when he came to South Florida several decades ago.

"You met with the Secret Service, you met with his staff. You were told how to address him, it was 'His Royal Highness' or 'Prince Charles.' It was very very formal," Tony said.

Tony has also called matches for Prince Harry in places like New York and Connecticut. He said his staff aren't as formal as those who worked with Prince Charles.

"They said, 'Keep it proper,' but there were no certain phrases, no ways of addressing him," Tony said.

The charity polo match is being held at Valiente Polo Farm, which is on the southern side of Wellington.

Proceeds from the event will go toward Prince Harry's charity, Sentebale, which raises money for HIV-positive children in Africa.

Prince Harry will be playing in a "round robin" match against Nacho Figueras, among other players.

The tournament begins at 5:15 p.m., but the time is subject to change due to weather.