Prince Harry has made a surprise appearance alongside his close friend Nacho Figueras by hosting a charity polo tournament in Colorado for his Sentebale charity, to which he pledged more than $1.5 million (£1million). The Duke was joined by Sentebale Ambassador and Argentine polo player, Mr Figueras, as he played on the Sentebale Team against the Royal Salute and US Polo Association Teams in a round robin tournament.

The Duke of Sussex competed in the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup, himself — just one day after it was revealed he planned to restart more in-person charity work through the Archewell Foundation. 

Harry appeared in high spirits as he mounted a horse for the tournament at the Aspen Valley Polo Club yesterday. He scored two goals as the Sentebale team ran out 3-0 winners in a round-robin format with two other sides – and the charity said it had raised nearly $3.5 million (£2.6million), which is a new record for the tournament.

The tournament was smaller than in previous years due to Covid-19 restrictions, but Harry, who co-founded the charity, pledged to donate $1.5 million (£1.1million) to it from the proceeds of his upcoming memoir. Pictured: Harry embracing his longtime friend Argentinian polo star Nacho Figueras yesterday.

Sentebale said the tournament 'serves as the single largest fundraising moment for the organization to advance its mission on behalf of young people in need in Lesotho and Botswana'. Pictured: Nacho Figueras with Harry in a photo posted to Mr Figueras's social media.

His public appearance - the first since his daughter Lilibet Diana's birth on June 4 - was announced by the Sussexes' close friend and media partner Omid Scobie, who tweeted yesterday: 'Prince Harry is back on the field.' 

Harry had also made a brief appearance a fortnight ago, juggling in the background of a video released by Meghan on August 4 to celebrate her 40th birthday alongside Hollywood actress Melissa McCarthy. 

The outdoor sports match was held to raise funds for the charity's work supporting vulnerable children in southern Africa who are impacted by extreme poverty, inequality and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Pictured: Prince Harry taking part in the match. 

Pictured: Prince Harry hugs one of his teammate while on the pitch.  

Harry, who is the co-founding patron of the charity, said yesterday: 'Our refocused mission at Sentebale is about addressing the most-immediate needs of vulnerable children in Southern Africa, helping them access vital health services, receive necessary care, and build skills to be more resilient and self-sufficient in the future.' Pictured: Prince Harry and Team Sentebale on the winners podium at Aspen Valley Polo Club yesterday in Colorado.

Harry added: 'We are incredibly grateful to our gracious hosts in Aspen, to ISPS Handa and the many other sponsors, and to everyone involved in making this year's match not only possible—but most importantly, as safe as possible for the protection of donors, players, staff, and the entire community.' Pictured: Prince Harry and Nacho Figueras at Aspen Valley Polo Club yesterday.

Royal author Omid Scobie, a trusted media contact of the Sussexes and co-wrote their biography Finding Freedom, had said on Wednesday that the Sussexes plan to enter a new 'era of visibility' this autumn, with a more 'intentionally public' life, adding: 'They're a couple who do very well in those moments of human interaction.'

Harry has competed in the event before. Here, the Duke of Sussex is seen in the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup at the Roma Polo Club in Italy on May 24, 2019.

The Duke was joined by Sentebale Ambassador and Argentine polo player, Nacho Figueras (both pictured in Singapore in 2017), as he played on the Sentebale Team against the Royal Salute and US Polo Assn. Teams in a similar to the tournament in Colorado.

Prince Harry and Meghan are said to be gearing up for a busy few months and are 'really excited'. Mr Scobie, added: 'They need to be on the ground... they say that the proof is in the pudding, and what we are about to see is that pudding.'

Like his mother, who was very engaged with the international community, the Duke of Sussex is no stranger to interacting with people on the ground. Here, he is seen during a visit to a herd boy night school constructed by Sentebale in Mokhotlong, Lesotho, in December 2014.

Pictured: A teenager hugs Harry during a visit to the Kasane Health Post, run by the Sentebale charity in Botswana, in September 2019.

Pictured: Harry plays with two children while visiting an organization supported by Sentebale in Maseru, Lesotho, on December 8, 2014.

Pictured: Harry wears a Santa hat with orphans from the Mants'ase Children's Home in Lesotho with Sentebale in December 2014.

Harry and Meghan spoke to Oprah Winfrey (pictured) in a bombshell interview in March in which they accused a senior royal of racism. The couple's lawyers denied they had 'reignited a rift' with the Queen after an updated biography claimed they believe she has failed to act over their accusations of racism.