A huntsman who died in a helicopter crash was enigmatic and well respected, friends have said.

Charlie Stisted, 47, was one of three men returning home from a shooting trip when their aircraft fell to the ground in Co Down on Saturday afternoon.

He was head of the Guards Polo Club, whose president is the Duke of Edinburgh, and was a close friend of the Prince of Wales and Princes William and Harry.

Irish property company Harcourt Developments knew him through its sponsorship of polo's prestigious Queen's Cup.

A spokesman for Harcourt said: "Charlie was an enigmatic and well-respected individual who we got to know through our sponsorship of the Queen's Cup. Our thoughts and prayers are with both families at this tremendously difficult time."

The victim was from Windsor Great Park in Egham, Surrey.

Also killed in the crash were construction tycoon Ian Wooldridge and the pilot of the craft.

Mr Wooldridge, from the 230-acre Twelve Oaks family estate in Windlesham, Surrey, was another polo enthusiast with links to the Royal Family. With his brother Graham, 50, he ran a £40 million-a-year firm specialising in demolition and construction.

Through his ties with Harcourt he helped set up the sponsorship deal for polo's Queen's Cup, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.

The spokesman for Harcourt added: "This is a tragic loss of two friends and business associates. Ian's experience and judgment were valued by all in Harcourt/ Titanic Quarter and his contribution will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with both families at this tremendously difficult time."