Prince Harry takes a bad fall – but was it really for a good cause?

Published on Sunday 31 January 2010 23:57

HE'S known to have a quick temper, but Prince Harry's latest strop may have disguised an extraordinary act of generosity.

The prince fell from his horse halfway through a polo match in Barbados last night. He rolled a couple of times before quickly getting to his feet and venting his anger.

The former England Schools Polo captain was uninjured but, in typical feisty form, he threw his mallet to the ground and took off his helmet to punch it.

But spectators at the match were left wondering whether this was merely play-acting reminiscent of It's a Royal Knockout.

The previous evening, after appearing on a fundraising appeal for victims of the Haiti earthquake, Harry told friends including TV presenter Cilla Black he was offered 50,000 Barbados dollars (15,600) to take a fall during the match.

Before the match, Black, 67, said: "He told me somebody offered him 50,000 dollars to fall off his horse, I thought that was a bit bad. Then somebody said I will pay you 100,000 dollars to stay on."

The prince had already shown the people of Barbados that he's not afraid of making an exhibition of himself for charity, when he danced the Calypso at the televised fundraiser for the earthquake victims. Viewers were told that prince would dance live on the stage if they raised 5,000 Barbados dollars within 25 minutes.

It is not known how much money was raised in the time but Harry, who made an undisclosed personal donation, remained true to his word wearing a blue T-shirts produced to promote the concert emblazoned with the words Haiti We Care, he appeared on the outdoor stage to a great cheer from the crowds.

The prince swayed to pulsating rhythms provided by singer Red Plastic Bag, real name Stedson Wiltshire, winner of last year's Barbados Calypso King title.

The prince's polo team included Mark Tomlinson, one of Britain's leading polo players, and played against a side from South Africa.

The 25-year-old is also in Barbados to support Sentebale, a charity he set up to support African orphans living in Lesotho, where a third of the population are HIV positive.

Harry was joined by Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to launch last night's inaugural Sentebale Polo Cup, and the event will be played annually in exclusive venues around the world. They were watched by the wealthy and influential of the Caribbean island, as well as British celebrities Black and the veteran comedian Russ Abbott.

The Royal Family are no strangers to polo accidents. Prince Charles took a number of tumbles during his time playing in tournament competitions.

In 2001, Charles fractured a bone in his shoulder when he fell during a fox hunt, and in 1990 he broke his right arm quite badly in a fall during a polo match.

Prince William has been known to fall off too, and Prince Harry fell from his horse on his first match as captain.