Parties You Will Never Get Into

Reinstituting Britannia on American soil, Prince Harry of Wales mounted his steed for a special polo engagement May 30 in New York City. The game highlights His Royal Highness’ two-day visit to America, only his second time ever.

New Yorkers, from the well-heeled to the ordinary, filed on ferries bound for Governors Island to gawk at the royal. His Royal Highness, 24, last visited America when he was just a child.

Prince Harry, playing in Nick Roldan’s team, floored Black Watch, which was led by Argentine polo champ/Ralph Lauren model Nacho Figueras.

While the game had princely overtones, everybody was welcome. Commoners, many of whom had never seen a prince before, watched the game for free west of the gargantuan pitch. The polo match raised funds for Sentebale, Prince Harry’s nonprofit group benefiting Lesotho.

Saturday’s game was far from classless though. While dressed-down spectators enjoyed the game from bleachers, a different scene was at play across the pitch.

Swilling founts of Veuve Clicquot, aristocrats lunched inside air-conditioned tents, where table seats cost $50,000 each. Organizers also indulged guests with blankets and lawn chairs for some leisurely sprawling on the lawn.

Moët Hennessy USA chief executive Mark Cornell was on hand to take care of drinkers. St. Regis’ star chef Sandro Micheli concocted the fare, which included cream tea, asparagus salads, gourmet cookies, and other pastries.

Deferring to tradition, guests donned their best summer finery, the women donning hats of all shapes. LL Cool J even traded rapper’s wear for a waspier ensemble. Meanwhile, Polo Ralph Lauren’s David Lauren witnessed his company’s logo come to life.

New York First Lady Michelle Page Patterson did the match’s throw-in. Later, during the halftime breather, flat-shoed guests ceremonially trod on the horse-made divots.

Pop royal Madonna, escorted by shutterbug Steven Klein and her two sons, breezed in around this time, amid commotion. Louis Vuitton’s Marc Jacobs sat beside the singer, some distance away from fellow designer Donna Karan. Models Hilary Rhoda and Alek Wek strutted around the tent.

Now on its second year, the Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic gathering also drew Vikram Chatwal, Veronica Webb, Byrdie Bell, Joann Pailey, Rachel Roy, Dustin Yellin, Sophia Hesketh, Peter Brant, Samantha Boardman Rosen, Lucy Sykes Rellie, Cornelia Guest, Amy Sacco, Matt Lauer, Kate Hudson, and Chloë Sevigny.