Prince Harry's polo coach leaves his wife after affair with stable girl

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Prince Harry's polo instructor has split from his wife after admitting an affair with the girl who mucks out his horses.

Former England player James Lucas, 49, has moved in with his groom, Gemma Evans, who is 21 years his junior.

Mr Lucas, who has also coached Prince William, said: "I had a purely platonic relationship with Gemma as she worked with me for two years, but a romance eventually developed.

"There are deep pockets of sadness that I have caused that will have to be dealt with. But it had reached an irreconcilable position in my marriage."

The affair has stunned the close-knit world of polo, in which Mr Lucas is a much-respected figure.

He is a director of the Hurlingham Polo Association, (HPA) the sport's governing body, and an official England coach.

He admitted he could now be cast out by the sporting community.

He said: "I may have to resign from my polo connections because of this. I don't know how the polo world will react."

The couple's ten-year marriage broke down when Mr Lucas left their five-bedroom home in Weybridge, Surrey, two months ago, saying he needed a break.

Scroll down for more...

All smiles: Ex-England player James Lucas with wife Amanda in 2005

A source said it was only in the past few weeks that his wife Amanda suspected an affair. He admitted it when she confronted him.

The polo community contact added: "Amanda is devastated. She put her life on hold to follow James around the world and support his polo commitments. She put everything into her marriage."

The coach is now living with Miss Evans, who has two children from previous relationships, in Milford, Surrey. He had no children from his marriage.

Mr Lucas's close links to the Royals stem from his aunt Claire Tomlinson, who runs the Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire and is a friend of Prince Charles.

He coached Prince Harry last year and also played in a charity match with Prince William.

A friend said last night: "Amanda and James were really well thought of and William and Harry liked them both immensely."

The HPA refused to speculate on Mr Lucas's future.