TALK OF THE TOWN: New Royal rift opens up as Prince Harry skips William’s polo match

It has been a highlight of the Royal calendar for 15 years, as Prince William and his brother Harry compete in a high-profile polo clash, raising millions of pounds for causes close to their hearts.

But this year Harry will be absent from the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day, remaining ensconced in his Californian mansion as the brothers become increasingly detached.

A source tells me: ‘It’s such a shame that Harry can’t make the polo this year but he won’t come back to Britain unless it’s absolutely necessary.’ 

At last year’s event, the pair reportedly had a furious row even before the first chukka – though that was denied by Buckingham Palace – and the new biography Finding Freedom describes how Kate and Meghan were ‘distant’ as they watched from the sidelines with their children.

Yet I’m told the Duke of Cambridge was still desperate for this year’s event to go ahead as planned at the end of September, even given that the strict rules about outdoor gatherings designed to curb the spread of coronavirus would severely limit the guest list.  

Prince William and Prince Harry play at Billingbear Polo Club in Wokingham in July 2019

Prince William and Prince Harry play at Billingbear Polo Club in Wokingham in July 2019

Meghan Markle holding her son Archie, and Prince Harry, at Billingbear Polo Club in July 2019

At last year’s event, the pair reportedly had a furious row even before the first chukka – though that was denied by Buckingham Palace – and the new biography Finding Freedom describes how Kate and Meghan were ‘distant’ as they watched from the sidelines with their children

While weddings are restricted to 30 people, there is enough space at the secret venue for this year’s match to allow 48 spectators and still maintain social distancing.

But that’s well down on the 400 or so celebrities who usually attend, raising fortunes for the brothers’ charities such as Tusk Trust and Sentebale.

The restricted guest list will make the event the hottest ticket in town – especially as it is never short of drama. At the 2017 competition, held at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Watership Down estate in Berkshire, bolshie Australian polo player Beau Skerrett labelled Harry a ‘spoilt brat’ after clashing on the field.

He boasted about giving the fiery Royal a dressing down after telling him to ‘f*** off in front of a crowd that pay £5,000 to shake his hand’. 

In contrast, he called William ‘the perfect gentleman’. One thing’s for sure – at least with Harry on the other side of the Atlantic, the brothers won’t be the ones throwing choice words at each other…

Lingerie tycoon Michelle Mone may have shed 8st during a dramatic weight-loss regime but she still packs a heavyweight punch (pictured: at the Pride of Britain Awards in London, 2015)

Lingerie tycoon Michelle Mone may have shed 8st during a dramatic weight-loss regime but she still packs a heavyweight punch. 

The businesswoman warns rivals thinking of trying to take advantage of her: ‘I never cause trouble but if you bring trouble to my doorstep in terms of business, you’re the one who will fail.’ 

She adds: ‘When I’m buying or selling a company, I feel like I’m doing 12 rounds with Mike Tyson.’ 

Watch out!