Meghan watches Prince Harry plays polo in Santa Barbara

Meghan Markle sat on the sidelines of the polo field on Friday, cheering her husband on as Prince Harry’s team battled in vain for a spot in their league final.

The Duchess of Sussex was dressed casually in a denim shirt and shorts, with flat Grecian-style leather shoes.

She was excited as she followed the game with a lemonade in her hand.

The 37-year-old prince joined the Los Padres polo team in May as Harry Wales and has spent the previous few weeks playing alongside his teammates.

Nacho Figueras, 45, an Argentine polo professional and model, and a longtime friend of the prince, founded the squad, which competes in the Pacific Coast Circuit Inter-Circuit Cup.

It comes as friends stated last night that Prince William is still at ‘rock bottom’ over his brother’s broken relationship.

Figueras is the team’s most experienced player, with a handicap of five out of a possible ten.

Harry’s handicap is one.

The pair are joined by two 16-year-olds, Keko Magrini, on a handicap of four, and Juan Guerrero, a two-goal player.

Along with Figueras’ wife Delfina Blaquier, Meghan, 40, was roaring on the chukkas from the sidelines.

She and Harry sat under an awning together at intervals.

She was also spotted hugging Figueras.

Harry’s team faced the Folded Hills team in the semi-finals.

They were expecting to advance to the final on Sunday, but they were defeated.

Meanwhile, William’s friends have shed light on the brothers’ strained relationship in recent years.

‘He alternates between grieving for what he has lost and feeling really, really angry about what his brother has done,’ said one.

‘He truly loves Harry and feels he has lost the only person, aside from his wife, who understood this strange life of theirs.

‘But he believes there are things you just don’t do. And Harry has 100 per cent crossed that line.’