Royal Rider: Prince William puts on his leathers and heads for the highway

There was plenty of horsepower involved, just not the sort that he was supposed to be riding for charity that day.

Prince William turned up to a polo match on his beloved Ducati superbike, looking more rebel than royal.

Royal bike: Prince William leaves Coworth  Park Polo on his black Ducati

Clad in black leathers and helmet, he turned heads as he roared into the Coworth Park club in Ascot, Berkshire.

He did, however, give a nod to his role as future king by wearing patriotic knee sliders featuring the Cross of St George.

The £19.99 pads made by Somerset-based Wiz Racing would have protected the princely kneecaps as he slid along the ground when taking tight corners at speed.

After parking at the polo, the prince whipped off his leathers and swapped the bike for a less powerful mount.

He was playing in the Westbury Shield alongside younger brother Harry to raise funds for The Tusk Trust, an elephant conservation charity, and Sentebale, Harry's charity for African Aids orphans.

William, 27, is a fanatical biker who has been riding off-road since he was eight.

Last year he took part in a motorcycle rally across South Africa, where he said he loves the 'anonymity' a bike affords him.