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.
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.
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.
“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.
