Prince William & Harry play polo in England: who looks hotter on a horse?

Even as a little girl, I never had that “loving horses” gene. I’ve always loved animals, but I was always more preoccupied with cats and dogs rather than horses. Of course, part of my ambivalence towards horses in particular might be because the one and only time I was on a horse, I broke out in a terrible rash, which probably means I’m allergic to something involving horses. Maybe I would feel differently if I was English. Or a member of the royal family. Or dating a member of the royal family. Which brings me to an interesting question: has anyone ever seen Duchess Kate on a horse? I haven’t. Which is weird – usually, the women who marry into the royal family are big on horses.

Anyway, these are new photos of Prince William and Prince Harry playing polo yesterday in Gloucestershire. This was their reward after doing the Trooping the Colours thing on Saturday. Kate is nowhere to be seen – I guess she didn’t want to watch her husband and her brother-in-law play polo. That’s weird, right? Usually Kate loves making those kinds of no-responsibilities appearances. Hopefully, she’s resting up and doing a spot of shopping before the baby comes. As for William and Harry – they both look natural on a horse. I’ve heard that Harry is a better polo player though.

Meanwhile, did you hear the story about how William and Harry might be part Indian? Apparently, Princess Diana had an ancestor who was partially South Asian, probably Indian:

Genetic experts have found a direct lineage between the Duke of Cambridge and a part-Indian woman called Eliza Newark. She was a housekeeper for his great-great-great-great-great grandfather Theodore Forbes, a Scottish merchant who worked for the East India Company in Surat, a port north of Bombay. They had a daughter called Katherine – and it is through an unbroken maternal line to the prince’s mother, Princess Diana, that the young royal and his brother Prince Harry have inherited the Indian DNA.

The research was carried out by BritainsDNA, a genetic ancestry testing company. It showed the second in line to the throne was carrying Eliza’s mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) – a small piece of DNA inherited mostly unchanged from a mother to her children.

Scientists said it was “very likely” that Prince William’s heirs will also carry a small proportion of Indian DNA from Eliza, whose father may have been of Armenian descent. Born in 1790, she lived in India when it was governed by the East India Company, and is thought to have had Armenian blood because of her surname.

Dr Jim Wilson, a genetics expert at the University of Edinburgh and chief scientist at BritainsDNA, said it was the fact that she was an Armenian living in Bombay that intrigued him.

He said: “I was wondering if it was possible she was Indian. What was an Armenian doing in Bombay? That’s what got me interested.”

Using birth, marriage and death records, he said researchers traced two of Eliza’s living direct descendants, who are both third cousins of Princess Diana’s mother, Frances Shand Kydd, and tested samples of their saliva. Using other genetic tests to corroborate the findings, they also discovered that the two direct descendants were around 0.3% and 0.8% South Asian. The rest of their DNA was of European origin.

“This was independent evidence that there was Indian ancestry,” said Dr Wilson.

“For me, it corroborated the findings from the mtDNA. We’ve got two different kinds of genetic evidence that are independent from one another and they both corroborate the story.

“So it really seems that our future king has a little bit of Indian blood.”

[From Sky News]

I’m not sure how to feel about the idea that William, Harry and I are all part Indian. Of course, I’m 50% Indian – Harry and William are probably less than 1%. My dad – who was born before India’s Independence – always said that most Indians didn’t really have a problem with the English royal family, and that figures like King Edward VIII and King George VI were very popular during their respective reigns pre-Independence (although George VI and Lord Mountbatten reigned over India’s Independence). And Queen Victoria always referred to India as “the jewel in the crown”. So my guess is that many Indians will probably be pretty jazzed to have some sort of genetic connection to William and Harry. Anyway, I just thought that was a cute story.

Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.

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83 Responses to “Prince William & Harry play polo in England: who looks hotter on a horse?”

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  1. SageM says:

    Neither. They both look like inbreds to me.

  2. Ncboudicca says:

    I seem to recall that Diana was scared of horses after falling off one and that she rarely rode, so I don’t think it’s weird that I haven’t seen Kate on one.

    • FLORC says:

      Kate is allergic to horses. She and others have said it many times because there was such an absence of seeing her on a horse when horses and royalty are such a pair.

      • bluhare says:

        So allergic it was put out there that she was taking riding lessons a while before she got pregnant.

      • Anna says:

        Take a freaking Claritin! Really, I am just so jealous of the opportunity – I ride, and it’s expensive and logistically difficult if you live in the city, and being in Kate’s situation re: horses & countryside is pretty much my dream of a lifetime.

      • FLORC says:

        Bluhare
        I never heard that, but it really irks me if being allergic was just another excuse to not do something. And then the risk of blow back when the public hears she can ride horses, but for years told everyone she was allergic. And she always seems to be in close proximity to a horse from William’s polo games, horse races, and horse drawn carriages.

        Anna
        Antihistamines to the rescue! I moved from the country to the city and the only places to ride horses here are loop trails with grumpy, depressed horses. There’s no substitute for forming a bond with your horse, grooming and saddling them and then trotting through the woods:) I miss it 🙁

      • m says:

        Shes not allergic, the palace denied that she is just before the wedding.

  3. Ncboudicca says:

    I seem to recall that Diana was scared of horses after falling off one, and that she rarely rode, so I don’t think it’s weird that I haven’t seen Kate on one.

  4. kate says:

    Kate is allergic to horses. She’s mentioned it a few times, so that’s why there aren’t any photos of her around them.

    • Baskingshark says:

      Kate is allergic to work.

      You can’t take a horse shopping – they have no trunk space – therefore she doesn’t ride.

      • kate says:

        hahaha well said!

      • bluhare says:

        Panniers, Baskingshark, Panniers. Or for a really big trip, a small yet very chic cart of some type.

        Lord, it’s nice to be over here after that awful Nigella Lawson thread.

      • nc_magnolia says:

        Well said, bluhare.

        I am still shuddering over the Nigella post. Nice to see some hot Wales boys to get those pictures out of my mind. Oo

  5. Micki says:

    Both cut a good figure on horse

  6. marie says:

    Harry, always Harry..

  7. Anna says:

    I have read that Kate is allergic to horses, though there were _also_ some reports that the allergy story is BS and she’s going to be taking riding lessons.

    I am actually inclined to believe the allergy story, bc Kate is very athletic, and equestrianism would have been de rigeur for her parents’ social climbing agenda for their daughters. So I see no legit reason for her (and Pippa) not to do it, unless they have some serious – medical/trauma – issue with it.

    Personally, all the great horses and trainers and boundless country estates to ride on would be my #1 perk of being a royal.

    • FLORC says:

      Anna

      I have seen no evidence of her on a horse ever though and it would have helped her 1. snag William faster and 2. get more public love. If I saw her with a horse I would think more princess bride, princess diaries for images. And doesn’t every parent snap photos of their little girl on her first horse or first lesson?

      Also, Harry is hotter, but when William’s bald spot is covered he looks good.

      • bluhare says:

        FLORC, I think Anna’s right. I saw the same article a while back that she was taking riding lessons. I think allergic is bunk.

      • Anna says:

        @bluhare –

        That came at a time when the palace PR people were making a lot of mistakes, so this could have been another PR misfire. ‘Lets make her seem like a proper athletic blue-blood by saying she’s gonna start riding!’ – and then look like idiots without any follow-thru.

      • bluhare says:

        Anna, that wouldn’t surprise me. All talk and no action. I still think allergic is bunk though. She goes to polo games, and William will be all horsy and sweaty when he’s done, won’t he?

      • Anna says:

        Well, that IS a bit difference. You inhale a lot of ‘horse’ when you ride (esp vigorously), and the hair gets everywhere. And now I wish I was on the track instead of in the office!

      • FLORC says:

        Thought I included it in my post, but guess not. Where would I find the article? I type in Horses and Kate and I just get the allergic articles or her watching Will at a polo match.

        Anna
        Horses kick up a lot, but i’d gladly puff my inhaler, take an allergy pill and get back on again. Even after getting tossed. Nothing like it.

      • FLORC says:

        Got it now.

        A reporter claimed Kate said she was allergic during a polo match and news outlets ran with it.

        I can’t understand why she wasn’t given riding lessons before or is at least a decent rider at this point.

  8. LadyMTL says:

    I loooove horses and even went to a horseback riding camp when I was a teenager. There’s just something so freeing and exciting about it. Of course, it can be dangerous too – my uncle was thrown from a horse and broke his collarbone – but if you do have a chance to go riding, try it!

    • MisJes says:

      Agreed LadyMTL.

      I started riding at 4 years old, and I’ve been fortunate enough over the 20 years since to go as far as representing Australia overseas in Equestrian – and the absolute thrill I feel every time I get in the saddle has never left me. It’s magical.

      • LadyMTL says:

        Wow, that must have been so thrilling for you! I never went that far (when my parents split up the finances didn’t allow me to keep riding) but I jump at any chance I have nowadays to “saddle up”, lol.

      • MisJes says:

        It was very much so! Horses have long been the best part of my life, and I’ve been so lucky to have them.

    • bluhare says:

      I love them too, but haven’t been able to ride since mine died. It’s just not the same.

      • MisJes says:

        I am so sad to hear about your horse, Bluhare. It’s awful when they pass on. My main horse is an older lady (had her since I was 7, and I’m 24 now). She’s carried me from local pony club to international competitions, and I know I’m going to be devastated when I lose her.

      • bluhare says:

        MsJes: I took my first lesson on Auggie and had him until he died. He was older when I got him, of course, and had earned an easy retirement. His old owner said he chose me and I believe it. It’s been seven years and I could maybe see myself riding now, maybe.

      • MisJes says:

        I believe it. I think horses are very aware of their surroundings. When I was 6 I was pipped at the post for a ribbon at a show. Being 6, I was bawling into my arms at the float, and my mother swears that my horse (a lovely old boy named Pancho) dropped his head to mine and he had actual tears in his eyes. I think he felt how gutted I was.

        Also, horses are amazing judges of character. Something about you must have spoke to him. I’m glad that your Auggie got to finish his days out in a warm, loving environment 🙂

      • bluhare says:

        MisJes: You’re making me cry, but in the very best of ways. Wish I could post a photo of my Auggie. He had great sense of humour; loved nothing more than dumping something of mine in the mud while I was mucking out his stall or paddock. He laughed the whole time, too. I could see it. It’s good to think of him now.

  9. Arock says:

    Years ago I read fergie and her girls are allergic, Diana was afraid, and other women were discouraged after their teens. A whole ” know how, own them, but don’t ride them” contradiction. Honestly, I couldn’t give a shit about the horse culture as long as Harry wears them pants. …swoon…hi ho ginger.

    • bluhare says:

      I took my first riding lesson in my 40’s if that’s worth anything.

      • Arock says:

        Re- royal riding-I was relating a past magazine article, not trying to change the constitution, so sorry to offend. I remember being surprised because it was seemed like such a given that all or some royal had extensive equestrian training.

      • bluhare says:

        Arock, I wasn’t offended at all; just trying to say Kate’s not too old to learn if she really wants to. I probably didn’t word it correctly.

    • Suze says:

      Sarah Fergusen was – probably is – an avid rider. Her father was Prince Charles polo manager for a while (or Prince Phillips – can’t remember which).

      I don’t know about the York girls though.

      Harry is hotter on a horse though this is probably the best William ever looks IMO.

      • bluhare says:

        If I remember correctly (and if LAK shows up I know she’ll know), Sarah Ferguson rides and got on famously with the Queen when she first married Andrew and they’d ride together. I think that’s the key to the Queen’s heart. Riding and horses.

    • LAK says:

      Sarah Ferguson is and has always been horse mad. She comes from as horsey a family as the royal family and has been riding since she was a child as do her daughters.

      Her father was Charles Polo Manager, her mother ran off with a polo player who bred horses…..

      She’s magnificent on a horse.

      Diana wasn’t allergic. She was a good rider. She just didn’t care for horses.

      All the grandkids ride very well. Savannah has just been gifted with a pony at the grand old age of 2-3yrs old.

      Kate’s excuses for riding/not riding are precisely because these people are horse mad and probably can’t relate any other way. Male/Female, makes no different. Sophie learnt to ride sharpish.

      • bluhare says:

        I knew you’d know. 🙂

      • MyLittlePony says:

        In LAK we (can) trust 🙂 Thank you for the update. If you are royal, you ride. That pretty much sums it up I suppose. And you’d better be asthmatic or otherwise seriously physically challenged if you are not going to learn to ride, and yet wish to get on with your in-laws.
        My darling boy is just nine years old (have had him since he was four). The best horse ever, seriously!

  10. ANGELIC 20 says:

    I am also Indian whose parents still live in India and there is no love at all for the Royal Family here. No one even mentioned this news over there and I don’t think anyone gives a crap, forget about being excited, about this ridiculous news . Everyone is half something if we track down our ancestry so back in the time. British media is treating this news as if it’s been found out that the princes are going to be Bollywood stars or something. This kind of news is so irrelevant and makes RF so so ancient.

    • Belle Epoch says:

      Thanks for the perspective! I didn’t think there was much love lost between Indians and the RF. I’m surprised this is even news. They seem to be tracing Diana to a (probably inappropriate) relationship between a housekeeper and her British employer – a byproduct of colonialism that’s hard to get excited about. Or maybe it’s a wonderful love story – but I doubt it!

      • ANGELIC 20 says:

        No it will not be considered as a love story at all for various social taboos including colonization.

        In addition to this I don’t think most Indians had any love for RF at any point. It really depends on how well off you were and what was your position for eg Zamidars (large land owners who rent out land to farmers) were really fond of Rf and British rule because they benefited from it or some royalty but majority of people were worse off in India including my grandfather who lost most of his family during partition and i am still not allowed to bring me anything British.

        India was never enamored by RF. It was the fist country in the whole commonwealth that demanded complete independence and refused to have King George or Queen Elizabeth as their figure heads like Canada or Australia. Because of this Commonwealth was created which included countries that were former colonies but are completely independent and don’t have England’s king or queen as state head like India and countries that still had them as figure heads like Canada.

    • Sandy says:

      Exactly, no one gives a crap.

  11. Pixie says:

    Harry. Every single time Harry! As a sidenote, I don’t find it odd Kate’s never been seen on a horse- there could be a variety of reasons. I was thrown off a horse when I was 12 and have never been back on one since!

  12. MonicaQ says:

    I had forced dressage camp as a 7th grader (one of those “let’s take a bunch of kids out the hood and teach them about the country” even though the rest of my family *was* in the country). I am not cut out for it–my legs aren’t long enough.

    That being said, I like volunteering with them when I get the chance. Some of them are quite sweet. Others…well, just like people I guess!

    • bluhare says:

      Let me tell you, there is nothing like cantering down a path with horses in the field next to you cantering along. You are all one organism. I can’t even begin to describe it. (And my horse was a grand prix dressage horse and I hated dressage!!)

  13. LolaB says:

    That horse is pooping in the second to last William solo shot.

  14. Hautie says:

    As if there if there is any doubt who is the hottest one of them all. It’s Hot Harry on his horse!

    And here is my favorite picture proof of that little fact.

    http://dlisted.com/2011/06/06/the-face-wed-all-make-if-prince-hot-ginge-on-our-backs/

    Even Hot Harry’s horse knows whose the fairest of them all…

    • Apples says:

      Thank you for the link and reminding us of that post! He is absolutely hilarious- I reread it twice while crying laughing.

  15. bostonian says:

    This is where I have major royal envy. I grew up with horses and adore riding. With a well trained horse you can forget that you are separate animals, the feeling of the wind in your hair, the agility and speed, ugh! Now, I live in a large city, and keeping a horse just isn’t financially realistic for me.

    Yes, Harry is better on horseback. He appears to have a more natural and athletic gait than William. Both brothers seem to be accomplished riders.

    As for Kate, learning to ride horseback as an adult is far more difficult than as a child. Kids are fearless, and horses can sense the emotions of their rider. If you approach the horse with uncertainty and fear, the horse will understand that the question of “whose in charge?” remains unanswered and will challenge their rider for dominance.

    • bluhare says:

      I first got around horses in my 40’s and was never, ever afraid of them. Not even in a field of big warmbloods. People told me to be careful, but I knew they wouldn’t hurt me, and they didn’t.

      I think attitude is huge. Horses can tell when people aren’t fans. They have to be sensitive to that because of predators.

  16. MistyNinja says:

    Am I the only one who finds nothing appealing about these two. No offense to anyone else-different strokes for different folks. But am I the only one? I am just puzzled by the whole notion of British royalty.

    • Insomniac says:

      It’s not just you. I read these threads and understand how people who think Cumberbatch is ugly must feel when they see people like me drooling over him. 😉

      • bluhare says:

        Too true, Insomniac! I made myself watch a full episode of Sherlock just to see if I could get into him. I can’t. He’s weird looking with a nice voice. 🙂

  17. Ally says:

    I have to say it, William is unattractive. Balding guy with a beaver-face and a big nose. People always bash Beatrice for her open mouth, but William has the same problem and it looks worse with his yellow rabbit teeth.

    Harry is better looking, he´s no sexy model guy but he has charisma… makes him hot.

  18. Emily C. says:

    Harry every time. Will’s features are okay (he was good-looking when he was younger), but he looks like he doesn’t ever laugh at himself. That is completely unsexy.

  19. mslewis says:

    I think the story about Kate being allergic to horses is true because, even though she goes to polo matches occasionally, the photos are always of her standing by parked cars or walking and playing with small royal children. She never seems to be close to the horses. And that story about her taking lessons was from a tabloid, not from royal sources. Why would she want to learn to ride a horse at 30? She’s a very good athlete so if she had cared anything about “taking a Claritan” and learning to ride she would have done so years ago. It’s not like William didn’t ride when they were dating for 10 years. She’s allergic and I don’t see why she needs to learn to ride a freaking horse just to prove something to whomever. Has anyone seen Bea or Eugenie on horses? I haven’t.

    • mslewis says:

      Okay. That sounded snappy. Sorry. I just get so sick of this woman being criticized for everything. It’s getting old.

    • bluhare says:

      Why would anyone want to learn to ride in their 30’s? Don’t know. I learnt in my 40’s.

    • LAK says:

      I’ve seen rare photo of Kate with horses. Touching them, looks like she’s scrubbing them down.

      It was taken during their early years.

      I think she doesn’t care for horses, the allergy story was probably to get out of talking at length to Kathy Lette the originator of it, and the riding lessons were told at a time the PR for the perfect people’s princess 2.0 was being launched.

    • Suze says:

      She can and will do whatever she wants horse-wise and otherwise. I doubt William cares and his is the only voice she cares about.

      If I were a non horse-loving person in the royal household I would probably plead allergies just to avoid the issue. I think they would be an intimidating bunch to ride with, particularly if you we’re a beginner.

      I do think I have seen photos of Pippa on a horse.

      • bluhare says:

        The thing that surprises me is that Kate hasn’t realized that riding would get her points with HM. And maybe even a ride or two with her. I would LOVE to go for a ride with HM in her Hermes scarf instead of a helmet, and I can’t believe she still rides at 87. Amazing.

      • Suze says:

        Well this jealous hater is envious of all the miles of acreage that these folks have to ride around in. I’m not a terribly experienced rider but I would love to have 40,000 acres where I could take my horse out for a run.

  20. Mimi says:

    Neither. Harry looks like the Queen in these photos.

  21. Reece says:

    Harry! Always! Harry’s attitude is better in general and he’s a ginger. Love my ginger boys! I’ve never understood Will’s appeal…other than the obvious.

  22. PortlandJan says:

    Harry, now and forever!

  23. skuddles says:

    In terms of skill, both boys have very good seats. I’d say they’re both accomplished riders. I like that Harry looks totally relaxed in the saddle in between plays…. that gives his horse a nice mental break from the action too.

  24. Abby says:

    I’m a lifetime horsewoman… and crusher on these men. They both sit the horses well. 🙂 Thank you for sharing!

  25. fallen says:

    My family is from the Punjab area in India and there is no love lost between them and the RF, according to my parents and grand parents they set India back when they were trying to “modernize” them.

    Partition tore apart many family’s, and a countless number of innocent people were killed.

  26. Flower says:

    They are both excellent riders, as is/was their father but according to professional polo players Harry is by far the better rider. He just goes for it by instinct and the horses respond, while William over thinks things and is too cautious. They all say Harry could be a professional polo player but they never say the same about William.

    Re Kate and her horse allergies, she might be allergic but maybe she just isn’t that into horses. I do recall one article where a journalist was standing near her at a match (well before the engagement) and she was utterly engrossed, oblivious to everything else around her. He asked her later if she was a big Polo fan and she something along the lines of ‘having to concentrate because she would be expected to recall every play of the match later’.

    • Suze says:

      Unlike some of the royal anecdotes I hear, this one has the ring of truth.

      I think Kate has PhD in William.

    • bluhare says:

      I think she’s not into them. I mean, after her wedding she rode in a carriage absolutely surrounded by horses!