London: Britain's Prince Harry has postponed a planned polo visit to Dubai on March 19 amid escalating unrest in the Arab world.
Harry's office at St. James's Palace in London said on Friday the prince felt it would be "insensitive for him to participate in a sporting event at a time when there are matters of greater priority to focus on in the region."
St. James's Palace said the Sentebale Polo Cup that has been scheduled to coincide with the royal's visit has been cancelled.
The 26-year-old, the second son of heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles and his late wife, Diana, was due to play in the match on March 19 to raise money for his Sentebale charity, which helps vulnerable children in Lesotho.
"Prince Harry will no longer be making his planned visit to Dubai on 19th March. As a consequence, the Sentebale Polo Cup - scheduled to coincide with Prince Harry's visit - has been cancelled," his spokesman said.
"Prince Harry was very much looking forward to the visit, but feels that it would be insensitive for him to participate in a sporting event at a time when there are matters of greater priority to focus on in the region.
Prince Harry looks forward to other opportunities to visit Dubai in the future."
The wave of protests sweeping the Arab world has already led to the ouster of longtime leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, and civil war in Libya. The March 13 Bahrain Grand Prix was also cancelled.
