One of the best-recognized young married couples on the planet, England's Prince William and his bride, Catherine Middleton (now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after their spring wedding), are gracing Santa Barbara with their royal presence this weekend.
They're coming here for a polo match at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, a tony hangout for polo players located between Carpinteria and Montecito.
The match, to be played Saturday afternoon, is a benefit for charity. Prince William, a talented polo player, will play in the match, with a plastic surgeon on call just in case he gets hurt. His beautiful wife, who will be watched for her fashion decisions during her California visit will be handing out the trophy.
The couples' charity appearances raise over a million dollars apiece. They have already been in California for most of the week, visiting Skid Row in Los Angeles, meeting Governor Jerry Brown and his wife, and attending other private events.
Chances for the public to meet or even glimpse the royal couple, who will arrive here by helicopter, seem highly unlikely. However, don't be surprised if fans with flowers and signs line the entrance to the polo club on Saturday, just in case.
Saturday night, they'll be heading back to Los Angeles for a $4,000 a plate dinner. Total fundraising estimate for the weekend? $4.4 million to go to the Prince's foundation, which benefits numerous British and international charities.
At the Polo & Racquet Club, the Royals will find themselves in a relaxed venue that's not stuffy in any way. Typical weekend polo matches involve tailgating by fans, casual attire, and leisurely enjoyment of the mild South Coast temperatures.
The polo club is a beautiful venue with lush green lawns and sprawling rose bushes at its entrance.
Along the field where the matches are played, casual patio tables and low-slung bleacher seating is provided for guests.
Polo, known as the sport of kings, has a long history in Santa Barbara. The first local match was reportedly played here in 1894, and by 1902, a club with 40 members had sprung up.
The Carpinteria field was established in 1916. Decades ago, players could take their horses down to Summerland beach and gallop through the surf, according to the polo club website. During World War II, play at the club was temporarily suspended, and U.S. troops charged with defending the western U.S. from possible attack trained there. The sport experienced a local renaissance in the 1960s and 70s, and the polo club condominiums, as well as an updated facility for horses and training, were constructed in 1974.
Annual tournament play at the club takes place in the summer months, and visiting players are often prestigious and accomplished international polo stars. The Prince however, probably rises to the top of that list, and his recent wedding to a middle-class British girl has made him even more interesting to follow.
As one Edhat commenter put it: "I hope they enjoy their stay here - they are such a nice young couple - it's nice to see but I don't need to see it in person."
They're coming here for a polo match at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, a tony hangout for polo players located between Carpinteria and Montecito.
The match, to be played Saturday afternoon, is a benefit for charity. Prince William, a talented polo player, will play in the match, with a plastic surgeon on call just in case he gets hurt. His beautiful wife, who will be watched for her fashion decisions during her California visit will be handing out the trophy.
The couples' charity appearances raise over a million dollars apiece. They have already been in California for most of the week, visiting Skid Row in Los Angeles, meeting Governor Jerry Brown and his wife, and attending other private events.
Chances for the public to meet or even glimpse the royal couple, who will arrive here by helicopter, seem highly unlikely. However, don't be surprised if fans with flowers and signs line the entrance to the polo club on Saturday, just in case.
Saturday night, they'll be heading back to Los Angeles for a $4,000 a plate dinner. Total fundraising estimate for the weekend? $4.4 million to go to the Prince's foundation, which benefits numerous British and international charities.
The polo club is a beautiful venue with lush green lawns and sprawling rose bushes at its entrance.
Along the field where the matches are played, casual patio tables and low-slung bleacher seating is provided for guests.
Polo, known as the sport of kings, has a long history in Santa Barbara. The first local match was reportedly played here in 1894, and by 1902, a club with 40 members had sprung up.
The Carpinteria field was established in 1916. Decades ago, players could take their horses down to Summerland beach and gallop through the surf, according to the polo club website. During World War II, play at the club was temporarily suspended, and U.S. troops charged with defending the western U.S. from possible attack trained there. The sport experienced a local renaissance in the 1960s and 70s, and the polo club condominiums, as well as an updated facility for horses and training, were constructed in 1974.
Annual tournament play at the club takes place in the summer months, and visiting players are often prestigious and accomplished international polo stars. The Prince however, probably rises to the top of that list, and his recent wedding to a middle-class British girl has made him even more interesting to follow.
As one Edhat commenter put it: "I hope they enjoy their stay here - they are such a nice young couple - it's nice to see but I don't need to see it in person."
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