Prince Harry

The Classicist: Historic British Polo Estate Cowdray Park for Sale at $38 Million

Filed under: Estates, Sports, The Classicist

Cowdray Park, the country sporting estate famed as the home of British polo, has been listed for sale at £25 million, or about $38 million, in what UK estate agents are calling "the landmark property sale of the decade." The 19th century estate, centered on a 13-bedroom, 44,000-sq.-ft. manor house (above) built circa 1874, is set in 110 acres of parkland with horse paddocks and stables, two lakes, landscaped gardens and a cricket pitch, as well as its own a hamlet of cottages. It also includes the original practice ground where polo was first played in England 100 years ago.

"For anyone keen on polo, this has to be the ultimate property as it literally adjoins the polo club which is the British home of the sport," Edward de Mallet Morgan, of Knight Frank, the agency handling the sale, tells the London Telegraph. The property, situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in West Sussex, does not include the estate's famous Cowdray Park Polo Club, which hosts 450 matches a year including the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup featuring the world's top players including Prince Harry, however. The mansion features both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, wine cellars, tennis courts, and a bowling alley.

The estate's architectural merit matches its illustrious sporting heritage. Stained glass windows, oak, stone and marble fireplaces, ornate cornices, mouldings and period paneling abound. The spectacular great hall has a barrel vaulted ceiling, minstrel's gallery and massive fireplace. The estate's owner, Viscount Cowdray, considered turning it into a luxury hotel, spa and conference center before deciding to sell the historic property after failing to find a suitable business partner for the venture. He is retaining ownership of most of the 16,000 acres of land surrounding the mansion, which includes a ruined castle, a golf club, holiday cottages, farmland and the polo club, however, and plans to move to a smaller house on the property.

Gallery: Cowdray Park, Home of British Polo

De Mallet Morgan has said that there has already been considerable interest in the estate from wealthy Russian, Middle Eastern and Indian prospective buyers. Cowdray Park has been owned by the Cowdray family since 1909 when it was purchased by the engineer and oil industrialist Sir Weetman Dickinson Pearson. The first competitive polo tournaments were recorded at Cowdray in 1910, and by the 1920s a series of competitions with dedicated cups and trophies was firmly established, such as the Coronation Cup, first presented in 1911 to celebrate the coronation of King George V.

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Tags: country house, Cowdray Park, Cowdray Park Polo Club, England, equestrian, estate, horses, polo, Prince Harry, sporting, UK, Veuve Clicquot

British Polo Players to Take Breathalyzer Tests - Prince Harry, This Means You

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Sports

Champagne is the perfect accompaniment to the aristocratic sport of polo, but if you're playing rather than merely watching it at Britain's most prestigious fields you'll have to do your quaffing after the match. The game's regulatory body in the UK, the Hurlingham Polo Association, is introducing random alcohol testing for players in a bid to promote professionalism. Yes, that includes polo and party-loving royal Prince Harry (above). The limit will be set at half the amount considered unsafe for driving a car. Failing a breathalyzer test will not get a player banned for the season, the Guardian notes, but they will be prevented in playing in the day's match.

Many polo pros have welcomed the move, pointing out that a "good lunch", i.e. one accompanied by plenty of bubbly, never improves performance or safety. "It's always been in our regulations that alcohol and drugs aren't acceptable," notes HPA's chief executive David Woodd, "but now we have the machines which we didn't have before and a doctor or official on hand to use them....At the country club I wouldn't argue that there are players who will have a decent lunch and play afterward. But at the top end of the sport, most of them won't even eat, never mind drink, before they play."

Tags: alcohol, Champagne, country club, drinking, equestrian, horses, polo, Prince Harry, royalty, spirits, sporting, sports, UK

Belstaff Bests Prince Harry at Asprey Polo Cup

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Celebrity Shopping, Charity, Sports

Famed London luxury goods house Asprey's polo team captained by Prince Harry (above, far right) was soundly thrashed by Belstaff's squad at the UK's prestigious Asprey World Class Polo Cup the other day. The Prince played well during the thrilling contest at the Hurtwood Park Polo & Country Club in Surrey, but accepted defeat gracefully, especially as his pet charity Sentebale received part of the proceeds from the match. Belstaff, famed for its leather jackets, also unveiled their brand new polo inspired collection at the event, allowing guests an exclusive first look at the chic and sporty clothes. Some VIPS including the Prince were gifted with items from the new line. Also in attendance at the event were Prince Albert of Monaco, his fiancée Charlene Wittstock, the Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood and several stunning supermodels. Belstaff, founded in the UK in 1924 and known for outfitting stars like Tom Cruise, George Clooney and Will Smith for their action-packed blockbusters, also recently furnished longtime fans Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie with complete wardrobes.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Asprey, Belstaff, Brad Pitt, leather, London, Polo, Prince Albert of Monaco, Prince Harry, Rolling Stones, Sentebale, UK

Ltd. Edition Piaget Presented to Veuve Clicquot Polo Champs

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Events, Sports

As you no doubt recall from my colleague Jeffrey Slonim's RSVIP column the other day, luxury Swiss watchmaker Piaget was the official timekeeper of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in New York City last weekend where Prince Harry joined the sport. In celebration of this year's event, Piaget created a limited edition version of its Piaget Polo FortyFive Chronograph to be awarded as the prize for the winning team. Inspired by the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, the specially designed timepiece features the iconic "Clicquot Yellow" on its signature sub-dials and is designated "New York." Only 10 examples have been produced.

While Piaget ambassador and captain of Prince Harry's team, Nick Roldan, debuted the new watch to press at the event, the prize ultimately went to Team Blackwatch who won in a 6–5 victory. Team captain Nacho Figueras graciously accepted the award (above) and then promised to auction it off to raise money for American Friends of Sentebale, Prince Harry's charity. "Piaget has a long history with polo, so we are proud to commemorate our partnership with the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic by creating this very special timepiece," noted Larry Boland, President of Piaget North America. "It's certain to become a collector's item."

Tags: champagne, Chronograph, Nacho Figueras, New York, Piaget, Piaget Polo, Polo, Prince Harry, Sentebale, sports, Veuve Clicquot, Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic

RSVIP: Veuve Clicquot 2010 Polo Classic, Prince Harry Versus Nacho Figueras

by Jeffrey Slonim (RSS feed) —

A gleaming white marquee tent with multiple peaks, white couches, Veuve Clicquot-orange umbrellas, and ice buckets faced the sweltering polo field on New York's Governor's Island on Sunday, June 27, 2010. Here, Britain's Prince Harry and his Black Rock team would challenge the international polo star Nacho Figueras and his elegantly appointed, Ralph Lauren-sponsored team, Black Watch, for the third year running.

"I flew in from London last night," mentioned Houston social Becca Cason Thrash. "I've seen Prince Harry play at Highgrove, his father's summer home. He's adorable . . . and shockingly tall."

"Harry versus Nacho, should be VERY interesting," concurred Ivanka Trump, who said that she had previously viewed polo matches in England, Palm Beach, and Greenwich, Connecticut. But the heiress and jewelry designer refused to wager for or against the Prince, whose team won in 2009. "You can't bet against a prince," she said, laughing. "It just wouldn't be appropriate."

Actress Susan Sarandon limped into the match, one foot in a black boot cast. "I've had to do horseback riding in a number of movies," she quipped. "If you have a smart horse, you can't ride badly."

And Mary J. Blige said it was her virgin match. "Ever, ever," she insisted. "And, yes, I want to meet Harry."

In the Veuve Clicquot-sponsored lunch tent, Prince Harry spoke of the Sentebale charity that he formed with Prince Seesio of Lesotho for orphans and at-risk children in that country. A nearby Figueras appeared crisp in a pinstriped blazer, a white shirt with three buttons opened, silver necklaces, white jeans, and suede slippers.

Tags: gayle king, Nacho Figueras, podcast, prince harry, val kilmer, Veuve Clicquot, veuve clicquot polo classic

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Prince Harry Celebrates at the St. Regis New York

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Events, Charity, Sports

While in New York to play in the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, England's Prince Harry stopped in at the storied St. Regis hotel on June 25th for an event honoring Sentebale, the charity he co-founded in 2006. The soirée was hosted by Paul James, Global Brand Leader for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, Paul Nash, General Manager at the St. Regis New York and Nacho Figueras (above left with the Prince), renowned polo player, St. Regis Connoisseur and friend of Sentebale. The event celebrated the charity's connection with New York City at one of its most iconic locations, amidst Prince Harry's much anticipated second visit to the city. Noted chef de cuisine Didier Elena, of Adour Alain Ducasse at the St. Regis New York, created an exquisite menu in honor of the occasion. Sentebale's mission is to transform the lives of African nation Lesotho's orphans and vulnerable children. The charity was founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso from the Lesotho royal family.

Tags: Africa, Alain Ducasse, charity, Nacho Figueras, New York, polo, Prince Harry, Sentebale, St. Regis, St. Regis New York

Prince Harry Returns to NYC for Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic

by Carrie N. Culpepper (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Charity

The royal redhead returns to New York on June 27 to go mallet-to-mallet with Argentinian Nacho Figueras in the Veuve Cliquot Polo Classic on Governor's Island. Figueras (below), named one of "Polo's 10 Hottest Horsemen" by Vanity Fair, plays the sport professionally when he's not modeling for Ralph Lauren. Last year his team lost to Prince Harry's Santebale team, named after the charity the prince started for underprivileged children in Lesotho, Africa.

Tags: governors island, Nacho Figueras, new york polo, polo, polo classic, prince harry, ralph lauren, Ralph Lauren Polo, Veuve Clicquot, veuve clicquot polo classic

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Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic Returns to NYC

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine, Events, Charity, Sports

Famed French champagne house Veuve Clicquot will stage its third annual Polo Classic in New York City on June 27. The event will once again take place on Governors Island, where the tradition of playing polo was revived after a 70-year lull. At last year's match the UK's Prince Harry led his team to victory over the Ralph Lauren-sponsored Black Watch team to cheers from a VIP crowd that included Madonna, Kate Hudson, Marc Jacobs, Chloe Sevigny and Donna Karan. Spectators can attend for free but exclusive lawn picnic tickets to the event for $250 apiece will go on sale beginning May 17th at www.vcseason.com. Ticket holders get ringside seats, unlimited Veuve Clicquot, a custom Polo picnic blanket and a gourmet picnic lunch created by Michael Romano of Union Square Café. Ralph Lauren model and Black Watch player Nacho Figueras is co-chairing this year's event, and Veuve Clicquot will once again donate proceeds to American Friends of Sentebale, a charity supporting at-risk children in Lesotho, Africa, founded by Prince Harry and Lesotho's Prince Seeiso.

Tags: champagne, equestrian, Madonna, Manhattan, Marc Jacobs, Nacho Figueras, New York, New York City, Polo, Prince Harry, Ralph Lauren, Union Square Café, Veuve Clicquot

Prince William Spotted House Shopping in Malibu

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Last month Britain's Prince Harry made his first official visit to the U.S. and kicked our asses at polo. Now his brother Prince William is reportedly house shopping in Malibu. Looks like we're in for another invasion of British royals.

The dashing Prince and his girlfriend, party favor heiress Kate Middleton, toured a privately-sited $8 million 4-bed, 4.5-bath compound with a detached guest house, 4-car garage and beautiful ocean view.

As it turns out, that house had been sold (to someone else) but no doubt the broker, Malibu's Bentzen Levin Real Estate, had plenty of other equally luxe listings to tempt his royal highness; there are several in the $6 - $16 million range.

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Tags: British royalty, BritishRoyalty, California, Malibu, Prince Harry, Prince William, PrinceHarry, PrinceWilliam

Prince Harry Triumphs in NYC Polo Match

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Events, Sports

A couple weeks back we wrote that Prince Harry would be competing in in the second annual Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic during his first official visit to the U.S. In the match, which took place this past weekend on Governor's Island, the Prince's Sentebale polo team triumphed over Ralph Lauren's Black Watch, captained by Polo model Nacho Figueras, five goals to four. VIP spectators at the historic event who enjoyed afternoon tea prepared by Sandro Micheli, executive pastry chef at Adour Alain Ducasse at The St. Regis New York, included Madonna and her male model pal Jesus Luz, Kate Hudson, Louis Vuitton designer Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Chloe Sevigny and LL Cool J.

Tags: Madonna, New York, NewYork, polo, Prince Harry, PrinceHarry, Ralph Lauren, RalphLauren, St. Regis, St.Regis, Veuve Clicquot, VeuveClicquot

Prince Harry to Play in Manhattan Polo Match

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Wine, Events, Charity, Sports

On May 30 Britain's Prince Harry will play in the second annual Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic during his first official visit to the U.S. Last year we told you about the launch of the Manhattan Classic, the first polo match to be played in NYC in 70 years. For this year's event the famed St. Regis hotel is offering an Aficionado package, including a stay at the ultra-luxe hotel, VIP seating at the match for two guests, and brunch the next day with Nacho Figueras, captain of Ralph Lauren's Black Watch polo team (and a Ralph Lauren model).

The St. Regis will feature its renowned Afternoon Tea at the polo match, and Sandro Micheli of Adour Alain Ducasse at The St. Regis New York has created a special menu for the occasion. At the match taking place on Governor's Island, the Prince will play opposite Black Watch on a team captained by Nick Roldan. Veuve Clicquot is donating proceeds from the event to American Friends of Sentebale, a charity supporting at-risk children in Lesotho, Africa, founded by Prince Harry and Lesotho's Prince Seeiso.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Alain Ducasse, AlainDucasse, British royalty, BritishRoyalty, champagne, Manhattan, polo, Prince Harry, PrinceHarry, Ralph Lauren, RalphLauren, St. Regis, St.Regis, Veuve Clicquot, VeuveClicquot

Prince Harry Prepares For South Africa Motorcycle Trip

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Celebrity Shopping, Charity

Prince Harry is one step closer to the motorcycle tour of Africa that he and his brother Prince William are planning; he has gotten his motor cycle license. He reportedly borrowed Prince William's Honda Blackbird to complete the test.

The brothers will make a 1,000-mile journey through South Africa and Lesotho similar to the trip by Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman, in their television series Long Way Down. The off-road adventure will take one week and will raise money for orphans and victims of AIDS. The route and travel dates are being kept secret to protect the young princes.

Gallery: Celebrity Motorcycle Riders

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Tags: motorcycles, prince harry, prince william, PrinceHarry, PrinceWilliam

The Need for Speed: A Look at Motorcycle-Loving Celebrities

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Celebrity Shopping

Celebrities and their motorcycles have had a long and enduring affair. From before the iconic movie, Easy Rider, celebrities, mostly men, have taken to the open road. Why the link between the famous and the fast? Certainly wherever there is money there are toys to spend it on but could there be more to the lure. I asked Mike Werner, the man behind Bikes in the Fast Lane Motorcycle News for his take on the link between the two. Mike has an interesting theory. He says there are three basic types of celebrity motorcycle riders: the ones who are riding to look cool and may have many bikes but not so many miles on the bikes, the "real biker" celebs who were into biking before they became famous and now have the money and time to indulge their passion and the ones who started off riding as a fashion statement but then found themselves getting really into motorcycles. Mike Werner cited Robert M. Pirsig, the author of the much-loved book Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance who said that the allure of riding a motorcycle is that you are one with the road in a way you cannot be in a car, you are exposed to the weather and the air and the smell of the road.

Motorcycles also offer an escape from the world of celebrity, the chance to feel free and slip away from the world. It's no surprise that many of the celebrity motorcycle riders are also pilots. Each offers both the exhilaration of potential danger as well as the feeling of mastery, to be both in control and yet aware that you are not completely in control, that the environment you are in also controls you. I suspect that being famous can be similar in some ways, a odd juxtaposition of power and powerlessness.

Paris Hilton, to my knowledge, has never been seen, outside of the red carpet of course, on the $250,000 custom motorcycle she is shown riding in the picture above. The gallery below includes just some of the celebrities famous for loving and riding (at least to premieres) their motorcycles.

Gallery: Celebrity Motorcycle Riders

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Tags: bono, brad pitt, BradPitt, ewan mcgregor, expire-images:2009-2-13, katie holmes, lauren hutton, matthew mcconaughey, peter fonda, prince harry, prince william, steve mcqueen, SteveMcqueen, steven tyler, StevenTyler, tom cruise, TomCruise