Duke of Cambridge Leads Royal Salute Sponsored Team to Victory in Charity Polo on US Tour

The Duke of Cambridge led the Foundation Team sponsored by Royal Salute to victory at The Foundation Polo Challenge today, when he played in the charity polo match at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, California.

The Foundation Team, sponsored by British luxury brand, Royal Salute Scotch whisky, performed with skill and grace in a thrilling match, which saw them triumph over the opposition, Team American Express Centurion, against the stunning backdrop of the Californian sun.

The Duke was watched by his wife, The Duchess of Cambridge, during the start of the couple’s first official tour of the US that commenced on the 8th July. Joining the Duchess were a host of VIPs including actors Rob Lowe and Billy Zane, actresses Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Nicolette Sheridan and model Molly Sims.

Also in attendance was His Grace, Torqhill Ian Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll, a patron within the Scotch whisky industry and representative for Royal Salute. He said, “Both polo and Royal Salute share values of honour, nobility and leadership, virtues we’ve definitely witnessed on and off the pitch today.

“As a long-time friend of Royal Salute, it has been a real honour to be here representing the luxury British brand at this exclusive polo event. Royal Salute is very proud to be associated with The Foundation Polo Challenge, especially as it provides the opportunity to support such a very worthwhile cause; The American Friends of The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.”

Guests including actresses Rosario Dawson and Zoe Saldana were hosted by Royal Salute at an exclusive VIP bar while being treated to a three course lunch by celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis. Here they were able to relax and enjoy the luxury Scotch whisky while soaking up the sun.

Following a day of sumptuous dining and revelry, guests were privy to a special viewing of Tribute to Honour, Royal Salute’s finest and rarest limited edition expression. Only 21 bottles of Tribute to Honour have been crafted from a blend so rare, so sumptuous that only one man in the world has tasted it, Master Blender Colin Scott.

The Foundation Polo Challenge support shown by Royal Salute further highlights the whisky brand’s growing commitment to international polo, with sponsorships of some of the world’s most prestigious polo events currently spanning China, India, Dubai, Brazil and the UK.

The Foundation Polo Challenge raised funds for the American Friends of The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry. For more information visit http://www.foundationpolochallenge.com/

Notes

Torquhil Ian Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll
The Duke of Argyll is the Hereditary Master of the Royal Household in Scotland. He is also Chief of Clan Campbell and a Patron of the Scotch Whisky Industry.

Royal Salute
The pinnacle of Scotch whisky, award-winning Royal Salute was first created as a tribute by Chivas Brothers to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II upon her coronation in 1953. This defining luxury whisky has a very powerful and sophisticated style, and has become the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky brand.

Royal Salute has a long legacy of paying tribute to nobility and leadership, it is part of the brand’s DNA

• 1953: Royal Salute created to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen’s coronation
• 2003: Royal Salute 50 Year Old launched for the 50th anniversary of the coronation, also paid tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary’s and Sir Tensing Norgay’s on the anniversary of their successful ascent of Everest
• 2005: Royal Salute 38 Year Old launched – a tribute from Scotland, inspired by the Stone of Destiny
• 2010: Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute launched paying tribute to the craftsmanship of four master blenders who have safeguarded the Royal Salute legacy
• 2011: Royal Salute Tribute to Honour launched, the Honours are most notable and compelling symbols of Scottish royalty

Royal Salute World Polo
In addition to The Foundation Polo Challenge sponsored by Royal Salute, the Scotch whisky also supports some of the most luxurious polo tournaments in the world, staged in the grandest venues, including:
• Bernard Weatherhill Polo Club Charity Day, Gloucestershire, UK, previously titled The Chakravarty Cup
• The Sentebale Polo Cup, Coworth Park, UK
• The Foundation Polo Challenge, Santa Barbara, California, US
• Royal Salute Tang Polo Cup, Beijing, China
• Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, Jodhpur, India
• The Nations Cup, Dubai, UAE
• Triple Crown Tournament, Helvetia Polo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Tribute to Honour
Royal Salute Tribute to Honour pays homage to the oldest crown jewels of the British Isles: The Honours of Scotland. Tribute to Honour marks a historical pinnacle in whisky making. The most exquisite, precious and scarce whiskies used to create Tribute to Honour, have been carefully selected from the Royal Salute Vault at Strathisla. Expertly blended by Colin Scott, just 21 bottles of Tribute to Honour have been created priced at $200,000 and available on application. Contact Giaia.Rener@pernod-ricard.com for further information.

Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.
In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

For further information www.chivasbrothers.com