Prince Harry and his longtime friend, Nacho Figueras, recently enjoyed a ski weekend in Aspen, Colorado, before competing in the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship. The two friends took a break from their competitive roles to share a high-altitude meal and ski together, highlighting their enduring bond.
The championship saw Harry representing the Aspen Valley team alongside teammates Grant Ganzi and Nic Roldan. Figueras, a former professional polo player from Argentina, was part of the opposing St. Regis team. Despite their rivalry on the field, the duo was spotted skiing together prior to the event. Reports from Hello noted that Harry appeared happy and was accompanied by several male friends during their time on the slopes.
Friendship Rooted in Polo
Harry and Figueras first met in 2007 at a polo tournament aimed at raising funds for Sentebale, a charity founded by the prince to support vulnerable children in Lesotho. Their shared passion for polo has solidified their friendship over the years. Figueras was a notable guest at Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle, and he also featured in “Polo,” a docuseries produced by Harry and Meghan for Netflix.
While Harry was in Aspen for the championship, Meghan remained at their home in Montecito, California, with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Despite her absence, Meghan expressed her support for Harry’s participation by sharing a photo of him on horseback through her Instagram account.
Meghan’s family has been in the news recently as well; her father, Thomas Markle, underwent a leg amputation in the Philippines earlier in December. A spokesperson confirmed that Meghan managed to deliver a letter to his bedside, amidst ongoing challenges related to media scrutiny affecting her personal life.
Harry’s Return to the Public Eye
This ski weekend marked Harry’s first public appearance in weeks, and his enjoyment of the snowy landscape reflected fond childhood memories spent skiing in destinations like Switzerland. He continues to embrace winter sports, having tried sit-skiing earlier in 2024 during training for the upcoming Invictus Games, set to take place in Whistler and Vancouver in 2025. Just this year, he also took his children for a family ski vacation at the Powder Mountain Ski Resort in Utah.
As the championship approached, the atmosphere around Aspen was filled with excitement, with both teams preparing for the competitive event. Harry’s participation and his friendly outing with Figueras serve as a reminder of the lighter moments that punctuate the high-stakes world of professional sports.
The public continues to follow both Harry and Meghan closely, especially as they navigate their roles in the public eye while managing personal challenges.