New York City - At an event that seemed a throwback to a more mannered and civilized era, 14,000 turned out on Governors Island for the 2010 Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic. The men dressed smartly in linen and seersucker and the women regaled in elegant summer dresses and stunning, sometimes exotic, hats.

The face of Ralph Lauren men fragrances and professional polo player Nachos Figueras.

In this its third season, proceeds from the match once again benefited Sentebale, a charity founded by Their Royal Highnesses Prince Harry of Wales and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to "transform the lives of orphans and vulnerable children in his impoverished African nation."

The event began with a step and repeat featuring some of the many notable personalities in attendance to support this worthy cause including Josh Lucas, Russell Simmons, Mary J. Blige, Ivanka Trump, Carol Alt, Val Kilmer, Rachel Roy, Veronica Webb, Susan Sarandon, Amy Sacco, Todd English, Gayle King, Daniel Merriweather and Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Along with a few who chose to slip into the VIP tent unnoticed, like Alexis Bledel, Denise Rich, Julianna Margulies and Annabel Tollman.

Inside the tent the crowd was thanked by Prince Harry in both a formal speech and personally as he strolled from table to table, frequently sitting for a chat. The lunch included, of course, Veuve Clicquot champagne and a scrumptious meal prepared by Chef Michael Romano of Manhattan's Union Square Cafe.

Former cover girl Carol Alt with a brim so large one could barely see her beautiful face.

Former cover girl Alt, dressed in her own design and sporting a brimmed hat so large one could barely see her beautiful face, told me this was her first match and with fist raised jokingly said, "I am afraid I am going to be like Julia Roberts in 'Pretty Woman' and go 'whooo, whooo, whooo!" Regarding the traditional stomping of the divots at the half Alt was looking forward to it and noted, "I was sure to wear the right shoes to divot stomp and I've been told to be sure not to stomp the smoking divots."

Security was particularly tight this year with a combination of Secret Service and NYPD officers doing a great job to keep us all safe. Prince Harry, understandably, did not walk the step and repeat himself, but Nick Roldan that captained Prince Harry's Black Rock team and also plays in the Hamptons Mercedes Benz Challenge in Bridgehampton did, "The Hamptons is always a great venue to play in the summer. I am always looking forward to it. I plant myself in Water Mill and very rarely can you get me out of there in the summer."

For $250 per person one could have a picnic lunch and endless champagne on the lawn outside the VIP tent.

Another of the polo players who walked the red carpet was the hugely popular and strikingly handsome Ignacio "Nachos" Figueras who is the face of Ralph Lauren's fragrances. Figueras was once again captain of the challenging Ralph Lauren sponsored Black Watch team. In his native country of Argentina polo is the national sport and Figueras believes events like this help to promote the proliferation of his sport in the United States, "We are doing a similar event with Veuve Clicquot in Los Angeles in October, so hopefully we will get to do more of this in the country and the world and hopefully raise the awareness of the sport." Figueras captains the Black Watch team in pursuit of the Mercedes Benz Cup all summer in the Hamptons.

The always smartly dressed Josh Lucas at the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic.

Along with Prince Harry, Roldan's Black Rock team is rounded out by Brit Larry Austin and Argentine pro Juan Ignacio Taverna. Figueras' Black Watch team included fellow Argentine Gonzalo Avendano and Brazilians Carlos Alberto Manzur and Rico Manzur.

During the first chukker a collective gasp echoed from the crowd as Prince Harry was thrown from his horse while battling for the ball with Figueras. Thankfully no harm, nor foul, as the Prince quickly jumped to his feet and remounted his polo pony. After losing to Prince Harry's team at last year's Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Black Watch took the match this time around with a 6-5 overtime win.

Not unfamiliar to any of us that live in the Hamptons, affluence and privilege, no better exemplified by a sport than polo, is often used to worthy charitable ends. Peter Rizzo, president of the U.S. Polo Association, eloquently made that very point, "I think it is the contrast between the two. You have this affluence and notoriety, but it is also for a good cause and it brings awareness to what that cause is all about. It is helping disadvantaged people in different parts of the world."

Polo on Governors Island, the sport of the rich played in support of the suffering children of Lesotho.

Although the numbers are not yet in for this year's event, last year's Polo Classic raised close to a million dollars in support of Sentebale, which means "forget me not" and is the plea of the estimated 400,000 orphaned and vulnerable children in this land-locked African country that battles extreme poverty and the world's third highest rate of HIV/AIDS. With tables of 10 going for $20,000 to $50,000, depending on how close you were to Prince Harry, it is likely that this year's event should generate similar funds.

Prince Harry takes a tumble but sustains no injuries. (Rob Rich)

Do not think this event was the exclusive domain of the rich and famous as one could also picnic on the grass outside the VIP tent for $250 per person, which included a basket lunch, souvenir Veuve Clicquot umbrella and picnic blanket and endless champagne. Furthermore, the north side of the field was free to all with thousands of spectators bringing their own picnic lunches, lawn chairs and blankets. Along with Veuve Clicquot, major sponsors of this year's event included Black Rock Asset Management, Piaget, The Standard Hotel Corporation and Ferrari California.

The Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic proved once again to be a popular event for both the affluent and the not so affluent, the aficionado and those completely unfamiliar with the sport. The sport of the rich played in support for the poorest among us.

For more information how you can help the children of Lesotho go to www.sentebale.org.