Prince Harry's closest polo-playing pal has spoken about the royal's happiness since marrying Meghan Markle and starting a family, in a recent interview.
Ignacio "Nacho" Figueras, an Argentinian polo prodigy who has played alongside the royals for more than a decade, stormed to victory with Harry on Thursday as they played in the 2022 Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup in Aspen, Colorado.
Speaking to People after the match, Figueras referenced his long friendship with Harry, commenting that the royal and Meghan Markle "love each other very much."
"[My wife] Delfi and I have known Harry for a very long time," the polo player said.
"I know firsthand how much he wanted to have a family. He found an amazing teammate, or partner, in Meghan. They love each other very much; their children are lovely."
Despite having an established friendship, Harry and Figueras have grown closer since the prince moved to the U.S. with his family after stepping down from his position as a full-time working royal in 2020.
The Sussexes' home in the exclusive residential enclave of Montecito, in California, which also counts A-list celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres among its residents, is within a close distance to the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club where Harry recently participated in the summer season.
As part of the "Los Padres" team, so named because many of the players bonded over fatherhood, Harry was regularly seen throughout June playing alongside Figueras with Meghan watching with friends from the sidelines.
"Being able to be with them for the last two months only made me happier," Figueras told People. "Seeing them be a lovely family with their kids and their dogs, and that's really what he always wanted. I'm very happy for them."
This is not the first time that the polo player has spoken about his relationship with Harry, often taking to social media to thank the prince for his friendship and participation in polo events.
In a post to Instagram ahead of the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup on Thursday, the player uploaded a photo of himself and Harry with the caption: "What a blessing to be able to do what you love, with the people you love while helping others. Proud of the support we are able to give the young people of Lesotho and Botswana to feel empowered, healthy, resilient, and able to thrive."
The tournament was played in support of the Sentebale charity which Harry co-founded in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to continue their mothers' pioneering work with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana.
The word "sentebale" in the Sesotho language spoken in Lesotho means "forget-me-not," which was the name of Diana's favorite flower.
As an ambassador for the charity, Figueras told People: "From day one, I saw how committed [Harry] was to his charity.
"Fast forward 15 years, I've been to Lesotho with him a few times, and I've seen what great work the charity does and how important it is for a lot of kids, how committed he is, how much he really cares about it."
It is not just Harry who has bonded with a member of the Figueras family as Meghan too has formed a friendship with the polo player's wife, Delfina.
In June, following the close of the "Los Padres" team's polo season, Delfina posted to Instagram a tribute to the duchess.
"M—looking forward to many more of these times with you and H," she wrote.
"Getting to spend time together over these 2 months was so special. I wish everyone [k]new you the way you are. My sister, my now fellow 'pwife' (polo wife)—genius of you to come up with this.
"Can't wait to see you again soon, to share thrill, hikes, and just more chill time. You also have my respect. Keep walking, steady and strong. Listen to your heart, that will guide you well, bc you have a big one and it's a beautiful one. I love you my darling."
Harry's win in Thursday's tournament follows a similar victory for brother Prince William in the Royal Charity Polo Cup 2022 at Guards Polo Club, Windsor in July.
The game was played in support of charities patronized by the Royal Foundation headed by the prince and Kate Middleton, and which was once shared with Harry and Meghan.
Newsweek approached Figueras and representatives of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for comment.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more
