Prince Harry takes a tumble at polo match

POLO-playing Prince Harry was chucked off his pony during the first chukka of a charity match in New York yesterday.

The royal hit the turf in spectacular fashion, landing head first and rolling on the ground as hundreds of spectators and fellow players looked on.

The charity match was staged on Governors island, off Manhattan island, to raise funds for the American Friends of Sentebale, the US branch of a charity co-founded by Harry that helps disadvantaged African children. The match was stopped for a few moments to allow the prince to dust himself off and remount.

But to his embarrassment, the game's commentator gave the crowds a blow-by-blow verbal replay of the tumble.

Playing polo is not without its hazards and Harry's father, the Prince of Wales, can testify to the injuries it can cause. In 1980, he was left with a two-inch scar on his face after being thrown and kicked by his horse.