NETFLIX let Prince Harry and Meghan Markle make a documentary about a sport only wealthy people play, a royal expert has claimed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s polo series has aired on Netflix today.
8
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s polo series has aired on Netflix todayCredit: Netflix
8
The sport and lavish lifestyle that comes with polo is explored on Harry’s Netflix seriesCredit: Netflix
8
Phil Dampier said he wasn’t sure their new show would appeal to a massive audience
Harry and Meghan are executive producers of the five-episode series which is shot primarily at the US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida.
But journalist and author Phil Dampier said he wasn’t sure their new show would appeal to a massive audience.
He told The Sun: “Polo is a very niche sport. It’s very much a sport for very wealthy people.
“The average person can’t afford a polo mallet or stick let alone a horse or a horse box.
“I don’t think it’s going to attract many new players.”
Mr Dampier continued: “I spent many, many days watching the royals play polo and I have to say it’s pretty boring.
“It’s very much one of those sports where people who are in it are enjoying it.
“But as a spectator sport it’s not terribly exciting. It’s mainly about the social scene.
“People swilling champagne, wearing very smart clothes and hobnobbing with each other off the pitch.”
The Sussexes make an appearance themselves in episode five with the pair shown sharing a kiss on the podium.
Meghan Markle speaks fluent Spanish in new Netflix documentary, Polo
And Mr Dampier also questioned why their appearance in the show was so brief.
He said: “The main problem for Netflix is that Harry and Meghan are hardly in this program.
“There are five parts and they only make a brief appearance in the 5th episode.
“I think for the amount of money they’re paying them reputed to be upwards of 80 to 100 million dollars.
How Meghan and Harry are investing their Netflix millions
HARRY and Meghan have begun investing their Netflix millions in a property portfolio.
They have bought a new home in Portugal, around the corner from Harry’s cousin Princess Eugenie and her husband.
But the Sussexes, who have been spending an increasing amount of time apart, do not plan to live in their new pad, The Sun understands.
It is not known if the property will be rented out, used for Airbnb-style holiday lets or used purely to park money.
But it is seen as the first step of putting earnings from their TV and book deals into a global property empire.
“They’re being smart with their money,” a source said.
They pocketed £75million from streaming giant Netflix where they laid into fellow royals in a six-part series.
Meanwhile Harry, who got a £15million advance for his autobiography Spare, also inherited £8million from the late Queen Mother after turning 40 in September.
Palace insiders have been concerned about what will happen when the Sussexes run out of cash.
They have huge overheads, forking out a fortune on security in the US and for when Harry visits the UK.
And they are still paying a mortgage on the £11million Montecito mansion they bought after quitting as working royals in 2020.
Insiders say the Portugal home will be part of a financial portfolio which will include more real estate.
“I don’t think they’re getting a great deal of Harry and Meghan… not getting much bang for their buck.
“I’m not quite sure why Netflix have done this.”
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”.
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.
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.
Another non-fiction series for Netflix, produced by Meghan, on “the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining and friendship” is in production.
The Sun has approached the Sussexes for comment.
8
Prince Harry competes during the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup 2016Credit: AFP
8
Prince Harry and Meghan are executive producers on PoloCredit: Reuters
8
Poroto Cambiaso stars in the doc alongside his dadCredit: Netflix
8
The sport and lavish lifestyle that comes with it will be explored on the showCredit: Netflix
8
The Sussexes’ Harry & Meghan docuseries in 2022 revealed secrets about royal lifeCredit: Netflix
