PRINCE HARRY AND NACHO FIGUERAS THRILL NEW YORKERS AT THIRD ANNUAL VEUVE CLICQUOT POLO CLASSIC Celebs and Socialites Converged on New York’s Governors Island for Match to Benefit American Friends of Sentebale Susan Sarandon, Mary J. Blige, Josh Lucas, Val Kilmer, Among Thousands of Spectators Who Cheered on Black Rock and Black Watch Teams
HRH Prince Henry of Wales and Nacho Figueras in ceremonies after the match
Harry congratulates Nacho at the conclusion of the match:
Veuve Clicquot once again had the privilege to welcome HRH Prince Henry of Wales during his second formal visit to the United States at the third annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, which took place on Sunday, June 27th on New York’s historic Governors Island.
Whom You Know has previously highly recommended Veuve Clicquot in our Champagne Wishes alcohol review column, and we loved it so much we featured it in our milestone 2,500th post:
The charity polo match benefited American Friends of Sentebale, a U.S.-based charity that supports at-risk children in Lesotho, Africa. Sentebale was co-founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in honor of their mothers, Diana, Princess of Wales and Queen ‘Mamohato, respectively.
Polo is a sport that should be enjoyed more in the USA and events such as this add to the excitement. There is not a dull moment ever, as shown above.
Harry did have a bit of a spill, but honestly we have seen much worse in hockey and football games and he seemed completely fine.
We write in Veuve Clicquot yellow on purpose!
Victory for Black Watch, to the delight of Aurora!
Although Black Watch (shown directly above) won 6-5 over Black Rock, we think Prince Harry took the defeat well, was gracious and had a good time:
Earlier today, Whom You Know showed you how Aurora Figueras stole the show:
and how Prince Harry and Nacho chatted after the match:
Prince Harry’s Black Rock team, captained by Nic Roldan of Piaget, faced off against the rival Black Watch team, led by renowned Argentine polo player and the internationally recognized face of Ralph Lauren’s Polo Fragrances, Nacho Figueras. The two teams with four players each went head-to-head during four chukkas, or play periods in the fast-moving 70-minute match that enthralled the crowd of over 12,000 spectators. A nail-biting 5 to 5 tie was broken at the end of the match when Black Watch captain Figueras scored the winning point, making the final score 6-5.
Over 5,000 bottles of Veuve Clicquot Champagne were consumed as a fashionable VIP crowd including Prince Harry, Nacho Figueras, Mary J. Blige, Susan Sarandon & Jonathan Bricklin, Russell Simmons, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg & Diana Taylor, Georgina Bloomberg, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Julianna Margulies, Val Kilmer, Josh Lucas, Princess Beatrice, Alek Wek, Rachel Roy, Andre Balazs, Alexis Bledel, Jackie Astier, Veronica Webb, Nick Roldan, Byrdie Bell, Gayle King, Amy Sacco, Rob & Marisol Thomas, Starshell, Carol Alt, Lorenzo Martone, Julie Henderson, Chef Todd English, Becca Cason Thrash, Daniel Merriweather, Peter Brant, Steven Klein, Keren Craig, Fabien Baron, Denise Rich – was welcomed by Mark Cornell, president, Moët Hennessy USA., Stephane Bascheira, president, Veuve Clicquot, Sabina Belli, international marketing director, Veuve Clicquot, Samantha Barnes, business director, Veuve Clicquot USA and Christine Kaculis, director of communications, Veuve Clicquot USA.
Nacho with his bottle:
Peachy Deegan wore a hat by Ellen Christine, previously featured in Top it Off:
Above are Harry, Nacho and Defina
Peachy Deegan enjoyed meeting:
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, above
Aurora Figueras, previously featured:
Defina Blaqier, above
Nacho Figueras, above
Carol Alt, loved seeing you on Dr. Oz
Georgina Bloomberg, we think you had the best hat and outfit of the event
Susan Sarandon, above
Gayle King, loved watching you on Channel 3 growing up
Kirby Bumpus
Katharina Babczynski of Elle Germany
J.R. Savet
Nick Roldan
Shamin Abas
Matteo Sardi of Ferrari
Rob Rich
Ellen Christine, Best Hats in Manhattan
Angela Russo
Tomasz Piotrowski
Nicky Phelps
Elizabeth Lippman
James Reed Hague
Elizabeth Rapuano
Tom Graney
Veuve Clicquot partnered with Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG)HHH on the exquisite Polo lunch menu that was curated by Michael Romano, chef/partner of Union Square Café and culinary director of USHG. Piaget served as the official timekeeper for the event and presented the winning team with its new Piaget Polo FortyFive timepiece. Ferrari California, the official automotive sponsor of the event, offered VIP guests a unique driving experience program. The event was emceed by Alexander Gilkes. The national anthem was sung by Regina Wilson from the New York Fire Department. Kedge Martin, Chief Executive of Sentebale, provided the ceremonial toss-in to start the game.
Over 12,000 public spectators, there to celebrate the official opening of the Governors Island season, attended and joined in the half-time tradition of stomping of the divots. The public spectators indulged upon food specially created by USHG’s Blue Smoke and El Verano Tacqueria.
Previously we have covered the Royal Family in regards to our Mover and Shaker Ambasador Brenda LaGrange Johnson's work with Prince Charles in Jamaica, see Brenda as a Mover and Shaker:
and Mover and Shaker India Hicks was in the wedding of Prince Harry's parents-see India's new site:
We cannot talk about Veuve Clicquot in such context and not remember the years of dedication our Mover and Shaker Mireille Guiliano put in there to make it the brand it is today in the USA:
and remember we also love the book The Widow Clicquot:
Additional event information and images from the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic are available at
ABOUT VEUVE CLICQUOT
Veuve Clicquot has a long association with polo in England with the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup and now in the United States of America with the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, which kicks- off the Veuve Clicquot Season summer opening. The champagne house was established in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot, and began to thrive when Widow Madame Clicquot took the helm 1805. Today its eponymous Yellow Label continues to be one of the world’s most beloved champagnes. The Veuve Clicquot Season is an essential guide to the most exclusive social events and parties of the year across the country. For more information, please visit www.vcseason.com or www.veuve-clicquot.com.
ABOUT SENTEBALE
Founded in 2006, Sentebale’s mission is to transform the lives of Lesotho’s orphans and vulnerable children. Sentebale was founded by Prince Harry of the British Royal Family and Prince Seeiso from the Lesotho Royal Family. Lesotho is a unique and beautiful country, but with extreme poverty and the third highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world, it is a country in desperate need of help. With an estimated 400,000 orphans and vulnerable children in Lesotho, Sentebale works with grass roots organizations to identify, support and empower these children. Sentebale’s name means, “forget me not,” and is a reminder of all the children who need help in Lesotho. American Friends of Sentebale is a U.S. charity that promotes the health, welfare and education of the people of Lesotho, particularly its orphans and vulnerable children and supports Sentebale in its charitable work in Lesotho. For more information, please visit www.sentebale.org.
About American Friends of Sentebale:
American Friends of Sentebale is a U.S. charity that promotes the health, welfare and education of the people of Lesotho particularly its orphans and vulnerable children and supports Sentebale in its charitable work in Lesotho. For more information on American Friends of Sentebale visit www.sentebaleusa.org or www.sentebale.org
ABOUT GOVERNORS ISLAND AND THE GOVERNORS ISLAND PRESERVATION AND
EDUCATION CORPORATION (GIPEC)
One of the most historic and iconic locations in New York, Governors Island sits roughly 800 yards off the southern tip of Manhattan. Polo was played regularly on Governors Island when it was an Army base and matches were played throughout the early part of the 20th century, with the last match being played just before World War II in September 1941. Veuve Clicquot brought polo back to Governors Island in May 2008, almost 70 years since it was last played on the island. The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) is responsible for the planning, redevelopment, and ongoing operations for 150 acres of Governors Island. GIPEC seeks to bring life to Governors Island, making this island at the center of New York Harbor a destination with great public open space, as well as future education, not for profit and commercial facilities. Governors Island is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from June 5 through October 10. For more information please visit www.govisland.com.
ABOUT BLACK WATCH
Black Watch is a world-class polo team which has won numerous tournaments throughout the United States. In 2007, Black Watch was the champion of the Mercedes Benz Polo Challenge and the winter champion of the Palm Beach Hall of Fame Cup. The team is captained by Nacho Figueras, professional polo player, face of Ralph Lauren’s Polo Fragrances and model for Ralph Lauren’s Black Label Collection. For more information, please visit http://www.Facebook.com/
Great job by LSA! Clearly a lot of effort and work went into such a venture, by Courtney, Meryl, Michael, Katie, Mackenzie, Lindsay and others!
Photography by Peachy Deegan
All material is property of Whom You Know. Copyright 2010 Whom You Know. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
