Prince Harry, having stepped back from his senior royal duties last year and moved with his family to California, has shown a keen interest in farming and the British countryside.
Despite no longer working as a senior royal, Harry's passion for rural life and environmental conservation remains strong. Over the years, he has openly expressed his love for the countryside and his desire to support conservation efforts and farming communities in Britain. Many saw this as an indication of Harry's intention to play a more active role in advocating for rural issues. However, his relocation to America has put these plans on hold.
In contrast, Jeremy Clarkson's foray into farming has turned into an unexpected triumph. His show "Clarkson's Farm," which premiered on Amazon Prime last summer, has become a hit. The series humorously chronicles Clarkson's first year running a 1,000-acre farm in the Cotswolds, despite having no prior farming experience. While the show is primarily light entertainment, it also provides insight into the daily challenges faced by small farmers. Clarkson’s comedic struggles and mishaps have resonated with a wide audience, offering both entertainment and an authentic look at rural life.
Prince Harry and Jeremy Clarkson have a well-documented history of verbal sparring in the media, making Clarkson's success in a field close to Harry's heart particularly irksome for the prince. Clarkson, a motoring journalist with no agricultural background, has achieved a platform to highlight rural issues and connect with farming communities—an ambition Harry shares. The show's success has led Amazon to commission a second season, further cementing Clarkson's influence in the British farming scene. Friends of Harry suggest he is frustrated that Clarkson, whom he sees as less credible due to his lack of farming experience, has become a prominent figure in rural advocacy.
Adding to Harry's discontent, it has emerged that Henry van Cutsem, a polo player and longtime friend of Harry's, has been seen helping Clarkson with farm tasks. Van Cutsem, who attended Harry and Meghan's wedding, was photographed mucking out the sheep barn alongside Clarkson. Initially visiting the farm as a friend, van Cutsem impressed Clarkson with his work ethic and has since been recruited as a part-time farmhand. This development is said to have deeply upset Harry, who feels betrayed that one of his close friends is now working with his rival.
Harry had reportedly been considering his own rural television project. However, the success of "Clarkson's Farm" makes it difficult for Harry to propose a similar show without inevitable comparisons. This situation has been a source of great frustration for Harry, who finds himself unable to compete from afar, stuck in California and unable to frequently visit the UK countryside he cherishes.
While Harry continues to advocate for eco-friendly and back-to-nature causes from across the Atlantic, Clarkson has established himself as the new face of farming TV in Britain. The unexpected popularity of "Clarkson's Farm" underscores that even royals can experience the disappointment of missing out on opportunities and watching others occupy the spaces they had hoped to enter.
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is said to be gently counseling Harry to not let Clarkson’s success consume him. However, the prince’s frustration is palpable as he vents to those close to him about the perceived unfairness of the situation. For now, Harry must watch from the sidelines as Clarkson enjoys the spotlight in a domain Harry had hoped to make his own.
