Prince William faces heartbreaking grief at funeral for childhood polo teacher
Prince William and Prince Harry were both taught by the late Claire Tomlinson how to play polo as children
![Prince William faces grief at former polo teacher's funeral](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rVjfaAsbRDtZbb3qW46uW5-415-80.jpg)
Prince William has made an appearance at the funeral of a very special person from his childhood—his former polo instructor.
- Prince William made an appearance at the funeral of his former polo teacher, Claire Tomlinson, on Monday, to pay his respects to the beloved sportswoman and her family.
- The Duke of Cambridge and his brother, Prince Harry, were taught how to play the equestrian activity by Claire in their childhood.
- In other royal news, Kate Middleton's boots prove that she has a stylist pick her sought after items.
The Duke of Cambridge has attended the funeral of Claire Tomlinson, who died aged 77 on January 13 after a long battle with dementia.
The talented athlete and former coach of England's national polo team played a very important role in Prince William and Prince Harry's youth, teaching them to master the traditionally royal sport as children.
She continued to support the brothers in their equestrian pursuits as they got older, cheering them on during matches from the sidelines throughout the years.
Claire Tomlinson and Prince Charles in 2009
It's understood that the Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex remained close with Claire's sons into adulthood, even inviting them to their weddings at Westminster Abbey in 2011 and 2018, respectively.
William, now 39, arrived at the memorial service on Monday afternoon flanked by a single royal protection officer. He was joined by about 200 other mourners for the solemn ceremony, which was held in St. Mary's Church in Tetbury, a two-hour-long drive from Kensington Palace. Neither his wife, Kate Middleton, nor their three children, accompanied him on the engagement.
Prince William and Prince Harry have never been shy about their passion for polo, having fallen in love with the horseback activity at a young age.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
Prince William and Prince Harry playing polo in 2019
The pair have competed in multiple tournaments over the past few decades, with many of their most recent feats taking place for charity. It's even been reported that Prince Charles, who was an avid player until 2005, gifted his first son a polo stick (known as a mallet) when he was less than a year old.
Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.
Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.
-
32 dining room ideas for a stylish, welcoming space
Looking for fresh and exciting ways to liven up your dining room interiors? We've got you covered
By Elena Kiratzi Published
-
5 award-winning products and brands given special recognition by our panel of beauty experts
These beauty brands and products have gone above and beyond, winning our special seal of approval
By Rhiannon Derbyshire Published
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William’s ‘unusual’ decision for George, Charlotte and Louis as they ‘can’t undo destiny’
The Prince and Princess of Wales's parenting approach is reportedly quite 'unusual' and they're following in the Middletons' footsteps
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton shares new Prince George photo on his 11th birthday - and he looks so grown up
The Prince and Princess of Wales have released a new photograph of Prince George to mark his 11th birthday
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
Kate Middleton’s ‘quick’ fashion formula for an elegant outfit works with a ‘busy lifestyle’ and we’re taking notes
The Princess of Wales has found a signature style approach that works for her and we love how easy it is to recreate ourselves
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton’s tradition with Princess Charlotte is so adorable and it shows how much their shared passion means to them
The Princess of Wales revealed that she and Princess Charlotte had taken up a sweet activity together during the Wimbledon championships
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton’s luxurious Lip Perfector is currently the cheapest it’s been for a very long time and we’re buying several shades
The Princess of Wales was pictured using her Clarins Lip Perfector at Wimbledon in 2019 and we've found it with 20% off right now
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton’s pearl drop earrings are the most elegant finishing touch to an outfit and this £9 alternative is in our shopping basket
The Princess of Wales is a fan of pearl drop earrings and we've found an affordable option that can help elevate outfits to new heights
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's favourite Superga trainers are half price now - making them less than £30
The Princess of Wales's white Superga Cotu Classic trainers are under £30 and they're some of the most versatile shoes you can buy
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Dame Shirley Bassey just broke protocol in front of King Charles and reacted with an ‘instinctive’ move
Shirley Bassey broke protocol at a prestigious ceremony with King Charles at Windsor Castle though, thankfully, he didn't seem to mind
By Emma Shacklock Published