The Cartier’s Queen Cup well and truly announces the beginning of British summertime. The prestigious event which is held annually at Guards Polo Club is one of the most famous polo tournaments in the world and is widely accepted as being the jewel in the crown of the British polo season. Sponsored by Cartier for more than ten years, the elegance, style, and timeless prestige that is synonymous with the brand is brought to the special day.
Polo, also known as ‘the sport of Kings’, is one of the world’s oldest known team sports with origins traced as far back as the 6th Century BC. The sport, which originated in Persia, initially came about as a training game for cavalry before evolving over thousands of years into the sport that is played today. Although it was an Olympic sport, the classification only lasted from 1900 to 1936, so the Cartier’s Queen Cup is today the most significant day in the sport. There are different variants of the game across the globe with elephant polo being played in South Asia, camel polo being played in Mongolia, and Yak polo being played in Mongolia and parts of China, however in old Britannia, it is strictly horseback.
The game itself unfolds with a kind of fierce beauty. Polo, at its core, is a testament to the enduring relationship between man and horse, a symbiotic partnership that dates back to ancient Persia. But here, beneath the cloud-streaked sky, it takes on a theatrical intensity.
Named after Britain’s longest-serving monarch, the late, and great, Queen Elizabeth II, the internationally renowned polo match attracts the most successful polo players from across the globe and the 22-goal tournament runs from May onwards, until the finale in June. The tournament is so highly revered, that even the royal family have participated, King Charles’s team took home the trophy in 1986 and Prince Philip, an avid polo player has also partaken.
The Queen first presented the winners with the cup in 1960, a tradition that has continued annually since. Although British weather is known for being temperamental, to say the least, no amount of rain can temper the spirits of the best of British society who gather annually to celebrate this event: actors, artists, musicians, and even royalty, turn up to enjoy the day which is dubbed by Tatler as the most glamorous event of the summer. From Princess Diana to Elton John, Angelina Jolie to Sienna Miller, the guest list has always been one of the most exclusive.
Although the venue is usually a private members club, for one special day a year it opens its doors to the wider public to enjoy the wonders that unfold. The day consists of a champagne reception and a delicious three-course meal before the games begin. For full-time polo enthusiasts, there is the option of joining the club on a more permanent basis. The club is a prestigious space with a joining fee of £400, an annual fee of £440 and to become a patron, one can extend the sum of £22,000. There are different levels to be enjoyed from hiring the Royal Box for a private experience, to a private field-side marquee. For this special day non members can purchase tickets to enjoy the event.
There is also a charitable component to the event which includes auctions and fundraisers, which attract further attention from high society. These philanthropic efforts not only contribute to various causes but also allow attendees to display their generosity and commitment to social responsibilities, further enhancing their social standing, all while benefits important causes.
While the winners and the weather change every year, certain things never do. Fabulous fashion, the opportunity to rub shoulders with the highest echelons of British society, and Cartier waiters handing out seemingly endless trays of champagne, all converge in a wonderful day celebrating the best of British. It is high time you experience the royal treatment too: lovely luxury and five-star treatment, set in gorgeous grounds mingling amongst gorgeous gowns. The Cartier Queen's Cup is more than just a polo match; it is a reflection of our enduring fascination with the interplay of power, elegance, and tradition. The blend of sport, tradition, and social gathering, is why it is a cornerstone of the British high society's calendar. Its mix of competitive polo, royal attendance, and high-end socializing encapsulates the essence of British aristocratic culture.
