Was Harry’s absence from polo doc a call by Meghan or Netflix? It would’ve been less dull with him
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle’s new documentary on Polo landed on Netflix this week but are largely absent from the five-part series.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are executive producers of the show, which is shot primarily in Florida, but royal experts are hailing it as “dull” without them starring in it.
Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, Ingrid Seward said: “I have seen the five-part series, and I think unless you're knowledgeable a bit about polo, it would be very dull.
“There was a bit of him playing polo and a bit of him talking to people.
“And Meghan appeared and spoke to Cambiaso, this amazing Argentine player, in Spanish, and sort of did a lot of wiggling about that.
“And then he asked ‘does Harry speak Spanish?’ And Meghan said ‘yes’, and Harry said ‘no’, so I mean, quite honestly, it wasn't exciting.”
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Ingrid, who is the Editor-in-Chief of Majesty Magazine, added: “It’s dull, you know, I just can't see that the Netflix viewing figures are going to be huge on that at all.”
Legendary Sun photographer Arthur Edwards chimed in: “It’s a shame because I think Harry's great orator.
“When he worked here, when he worked for the royal family here, he was always interesting.
“And I say it was Netflix, probably, didn’t want him?”
Ingrid theorised: “Maybe Meghan had a bigger hand in it, because she obviously knows very little about it?”
Arthur joked: “Are you saying? Meghan tells Harry what to do?”
Ingrid laughed: “No, I'm not saying that, Arthur.”
The Sussexes make an appearance in episode five with the pair shown sharing a kiss on the podium.
The series by Harry and Meghan's Archewell Productions is their fourth output with Netflix as part of their multi-million pound deal with the streaming giant.
It follows elite global players on and off the field, with the "sexy" sport billed in the trailer as showcasing "dirty, sweaty boys…riding".
Glitzy Netflix deal
The documentary is the Sussexes' first since Heart Of Invictus, which aired some 16 months ago.
It followed Live To Lead, about leaders who have dedicated themselves to social justice, in 2022, and before that, the couple's controversial six-part Harry & Meghan documentary.
I have seen the five-part series, and I think unless you're knowledgeable a bit about polo, it would be very dull
Ingrid Seward
In Harry & Meghan, the duke and duchess shed light on their troubled life within the royal family, accusing Kensington Palace of lying to protect William, and Charles, now King, of lying at the Megxit summit.
While some fans enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at their lives, many took issue with their criticism of the royal family.
Another non-fiction series for Netflix, produced by Meghan, on "the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining and friendship" is in production.
Sussex focus
Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent Katie Nicholl said fans care more about their royal drama than polo or their woke projects.
The royal expert explained: “How interested are people in polo?”
She added: “I just think the problem is that getting bums on seats in the wake of the Harry and Meghan docuseries, which was such compelling viewing because it was about them leaving.
“It was about their new lives.
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“People wanted to tune in and watch that.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and have set up a new life for themselves in California with Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.
Why did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle step back as senior working royals?
PRINCE Harry has always wanted out of the Royal Family and the repercussions will be felt for years, an expert has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex has lived in California with his wife Meghan Markle since 2020 after they dramatically quit their jobs as working royals and moved across the pond.
Katie Nicholl, who is Vanity Fair's royal correspondent, told The Sun's Royal Exclusive show that Megxit did not come as a surprise to her.
Speaking to The Sun's Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson, the commentator explained: "Anyone who knows Harry is aware he's always wanted a way out of the Royal Family.
"He's said multiple times on the record that he wished he'd never been born a prince.
"I think he really is living the life he wants to now. It's very, very sad that it's played out the way it has.”
In a statement made on the Sussexes' account as they stepped back in 2020, the pair wrote: "After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.
"We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.
"It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.
"We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.
"This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.”