Prince Harry Returns to New York To Play in the Third Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic on Governors Island on June 27th

NEW YORK, June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Veuve Clicquot Champagne is delighted to welcome back HRH Prince Henry of Wales to play in the third annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, taking place on New York's historic Governors Island on Sunday, June 27, 2010. One of New York's most unique and glamorous daytime social events, the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic once again benefits the American Friends of Sentebale, the U.S. arm of the global charity founded by Prince Harry of the British Royal Family and Prince Seeiso of the Lesotho Royal Family, which aims to better the lives of the underprivileged, at-risk children of Lesotho, Southern Africa.

Bringing the thrilling world of polo to New Yorkers for this one day event, the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic offers spectators the chance to watch Nacho Figueras, captain of the Black Watch team and face of Ralph Lauren's Polo Fragrances, go head-to-head once again with Prince Harry in this much-anticipated match. There are two ways to join the VIP experience at the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic: purchase a table in the VIP Marquee or buy a picnic ticket for a champagne lunch on the lawn. The event will also feature an area that is free and open to the public. In reverence to the long-time tradition, classic polo style is requested: women in hats; men in summer suits.

"We're honored to welcome back Prince Harry to the 2010 Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic," states Christine Kaculis, Director of Communications for Veuve Clicquot. "We're very pleased to once again support Prince Harry's charity, Sentebale, through this unique and memorable New York occasion."

"We are delighted that the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic will once again be supporting the American Friends of Sentebale and our work with the most vulnerable children in Lesotho," says Kedge Martin, CEO of Sentebale. "Every day, at least 100 more children in this beautiful country have their lives devastated by the loss of a parent - having to drop out of school to become caretakers of their relatives, getting exposed to abuse, vulnerable to exploitation - the utter devastation of their childhood. Iconic events such as this are crucial to raising awareness and supporting our mission to make a real difference in the lives of the most needy children."

"I'm honored to meet Prince Harry on the field once again for this spectacular New York event," says Nacho Figueras. "This is a unique opportunity to bring my passion for the sport of polo together with the worthy cause of Sentebale, a charity very close to my heart."

In the historic setting of Governors Island, this month's Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic promises to attract a fashionable crowd from around the globe and feature the glamour and excitement of polo - 'the sport of kings.' Certain to be as stylish and star-studded as years past, last year's Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic drew over 6,000 public spectators and a VIP line-up of guests including, Madonna, Kate Hudson, Marc Jacobs, Chloe Sevigny, LL Cool J, Donna Karan, Lucy Sykes, Rachel Roy, Hilary Rhoda and Alex Wek, all cheering on Prince Harry and Nacho Figueras as they went pony-to-pony for a worthy cause.

"The Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic is a great celebration of the Island's historic connection to polo," says Leslie Koch, president of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation. "We are honored to welcome the event back to the island and thrilled that thousands more visitors will be able to enjoy a free afternoon of polo here."

This year, Veuve Clicquot partners with Union Square Hospitality Group, to turn spectator snacking into an unmatched dining experience. Michael Romano, chef/partner of Union Square Cafe and culinary director for Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) has designed a multi-course champagne lunch for the guests in the VIP Marquee along with a gourmet picnic luncheon for picnic ticket holders developed by USHG's catering arm, Union Square Events. In addition, an upscale snack cart will offer innovative mid-game snack options such as gourmet mini lemon whoopie pies, fudge cupcakes with orange buttercream frosting, Green Market famous pretzels and the famous Union Square Cafe mixed nut blend.

Spectators sitting on the public side can expect plenty of Veuve Clicquot champagne bars and premium concessions from Union Square Hospitality Group's Blue Smoke and El Verano Taqueria, marking the first time Chef Floyd Cardoz's irresistible tacos will be available outside of Citi Field, home of the New York Mets.

"We are very excited to partner with Veuve Clicquot. Our team looks forward to bringing our culinary viewpoint to this well-established, highly-visible and cherished New York summer event," says Michael Romano, chef/partner of Union Square Cafe and Culinary Director for Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG).

Veuve Clicquot is delighted to have The Standard, New York as the official hotel partner of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic. The Standard, New York is located in New York City's thriving Meatpacking District and is Andre Balazs' most recent property in his expanding collection of Standard hotels which includes The Standard, Hollywood, The Standard Spa, Miami Beach, and The Standard, Downtown LA. All 337 guestrooms and suites at The Standard, New York have breathtaking views of the Hudson River and the New York City skyline. The Standard Grill, the hotel's acclaimed restaurant with Chef Dan Silverman at the helm, will be featuring a Veuve Clicquot champagne cocktail, The Near Side, in celebration of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic for the month of June. Guests can book their room today at www.standardhotels.com. More information on event-themed hotel packages will be available on both the hotel's website and www.vcseason.com.

To ensure this year's polo fashion over-delivers on the glamour and red carpet drama, Veuve Clicquot has also teamed up with Ellen Christine Colon-Lugo, leading 'milliner to the stars' to get the women of New York 'hat ready' for this stylish event. Ellen Christine has had the pleasure of 'hat dressing' the likes of Penelope Cruz, Demi Moore, Beyonce Knowles, Johnny Depp and Harrison Ford and will be consulting and fitting of-the-moment polo appropriate hats out of her Chelsea boutique leading up to this year's Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic.

In addition to purchasing a table in the exclusive VIP Marquee, Lunch on the Lawn picnic tickets to the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic are currently available for purchase. They are $250 per person and will provide access to all of the glamorous action, unlimited Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, a custom Polo picnic blanket, picnic basket and champagne flute, and a gourmet picnic lunch developed by Chef Michael Romano, chef/partner of Union Square Cafe and Culinary Director of Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group and its catering business, Union Square Events. In addition, picnickers will have access to custom Petanque courts, the famous French game made popular in the U.S. by Veuve Clicquot.