Amidst fervent anticipation and high-profile announcements, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly embarked on two Netflix projects under their Archewell Productions banner—an assertion they themselves confirmed.
However, Netflix's confirmation has been sluggish, contributing to waning interest, particularly in their polo series. This venture, conceived post their royal departure, aims to illuminate the vibrant polo scene, showcasing its intensity and intricacies. Nevertheless, Harry's credentials as a polo player face scrutiny, sparking skepticism about his involvement.
Additionally, filming hurdles at traditional polo venues have necessitated a search for alternative sites, with Florida emerging as a potential location. Although the Santa Barbara Polo and Racket Club near their residence would be ideal, its privacy-conscious affluent members are hesitant, fearing a compromise in exclusivity.
A royal commentator pointedly observes that this Netflix Polo Venture could represent the platform's final push to capitalize on their reported $100 million deal with Harry and Meghan. Royal expert Kinsey Scoffield suggests that focusing on polo appears to be a desperate attempt to extract value from Prince Harry.
Since sealing the Netflix deal in 2020, the couple has delivered only three significant projects, falling short of their promised array of children's programming, scripted shows, films, and documentaries. Among these, the Invictus Games documentary garnered notable attention due to its royal controversies. Their most noteworthy release remains the widely watched Oprah interview, which captivated audiences hungry for royal revelations.
With Netflix's recent announcement of two new lifestyle shows, Scoffield asserts that the network is honing in on luxury and inspirational content, aiming to capture Prince Harry and Meghan in authentic moments. However, Meghan's recent ventures, such as the American Riviera Orchard, have faced criticism for perceived mediocrity, despite her high-end product releases.
This juxtaposes with their modest lifestyle, epitomized by Meghan's homemade jams as gifts, starkly contrasting their former royal existence. Moreover, Meghan's transparency about filming locations, including their home, contradicts their professed need for privacy. This incongruity, coupled with Harry's diminishing public appeal, underscores the challenges they confront in transitioning from royal obligations to media entrepreneurship.
