Prince Harry's friend taken to hospital after being beaten up at polo event

Prince Harry's best friend Mark Tomlinson was pummelled to the ground in the middle of a dance floor after a polo match.

The 25-year-old had taken part in England's 10-9 Coronation Cup victory over Australia earlier in the day at the Cartier International polo event.

He was celebrating at a tent hosted by the nightclub Chinawhite in the evening when a man came up and started punching him.

Prince Harry with Mark Tomlinson, left, and John Martin after his Young England team beat Young Australia in a Polo test match in Sydney in 2003

One witness said: 'Mark was having a great time at the party, dancing with two girls, when a man came up to him and for no reason took objection to him and started beating him up.

'I hate to say it, but the attacker was one of the more chavvy elements there this year.

'Mark's friend tried to confront him, but he ran out of the door.'

Mark was taken to casualty at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading by a friend and needed stitches to a head wound.

He did not have a broken jaw as initially feared after the attack, which happened at 11pm towards the end of the party.

The hospital confirmed Mark Tomlinson had been treated and discharged.

His parents Simon and Claire are close friends of Prince Charles and own the exclusive Beaufort Polo Club. They began a trial separation in April after 30 years of marriage.

Prince Harry stayed on the Tomlinsons' ranch in Argentina during his gap year.

The princes were unable to go to the event in Windsor on Saturday - Prince William because of his naval commitments and Harry for his charitable duties with the Household Cavalry in Africa.

Guests paid £500 for day passes to attend the Cartier International polo and £100 for evening tickets.

A spokesman for Chinawhite said: 'An incident did take place on the dance floor which was dealt with by security at the time and we are investigating the matter further.'

Two years ago, Chinawhite received more than 40 complaints from residents annoyed by 'widespread disturbance' caused by its late-night event. It was later served with a noise abatement order.