Lady LUX

Cooling off during these sweltering summer months has its methodology: There is the beach, the pool, the air conditioning, and, of course, champagne. Why drink anything else when the drink of kings will do?

All kidding aside, it is indeed one of the most oft-served beverages at benefits, parties, and galas during the summer season. And this Sunday, the drink of kings will meet the sport of kings when the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic once again takes place on New York’s Governor’s Island. In its third year, the event is really one of the best of the social season, attracting the elite of the social circuit and of Tinseltown. Last year, the likes of Kate Hudson, Marc Jacobs, Chloe Sevigny, and even Madonna added to the celebrity draw. The real draw though? His Royal Highness, Prince Henry of Wales—Prince Harry to most—will be heading the team playing against the team headed by Nacho Figueras, the top ranked polo player and now face of Ralph Lauren fragrance. Two of the game’s most highly lauded players and most visible faces will square off in front of masses of adoring fans. That is a royal treatment if there ever was one.

Figueras is captain of the Black Watch team, which is well known in Palm Beach, where it plays in the winter, and Bridgehampton, Long Island, where it plays in the summer at Mercedes-Benz Bridgehampton Polo. Hamptonites are used to seeing the gorgeous Argentinian around town each July when the matches kick off, along with his lovely wife Delfina Blaquier and two children. The Prince is captain of Team Sentebale, who rides in support of the nonprofit organization he founded four years ago along with Prince Seeiso from the Lesotho Royal Family with the mission of transforming the lives of Lesotho’s orphans and vulnerable children. Although a very beautiful country, Lesotho is suffering from extreme poverty as well as the third highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world. It’s plight is brought to light when one considers that there are approximately 400,000 orphans and vulnerable children at present. The name Sentebale means, “forget me not,” fitting for the children they are trying to help. There is also the American Friends of Sentebale, the arm of the charity here in the United States that promotes the same goals and overall mission of the Sentebale organization.

“We’re honored to welcome back Prince Harry to the 2010 Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic,” states Christine Kaculis, Director of Communications for Veuve Clicquot. “We’re very pleased to once again support his charity, Sentebale, through this unique and memorable New York occasion.”

With the popularity of the sport rising in the U.S., and the prominence of these two figures, as well as their respective representation with both organizations, the Polo Classic is sure to be a hugely memorable day. Stay tuned for the post-polo coverage …….

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