Netflix recently launched a promotional campaign for an upcoming polo documentary just 90 minutes after Princess Catherine’s heartwarming announcement that she is cancer-free made waves across the internet.
The timing, seen by many as deliberately opportunistic, has sparked accusations of the streaming giant attempting to ride on the coattails of the Princess of Wales’s joyous news. Social media users, particularly on Twitter, were quick to voice their disapproval, accusing Netflix of capitalizing on the emotional moment to draw attention to their project. The documentary, slated for release in December, has been met with widespread criticism due to its timing, with many pointing fingers at Meghan Markle's possible involvement in the move, echoing past instances where attention seemed to be diverted toward her during significant royal moments.
This latest promotional effort by Netflix has drawn comparisons to previous attempts to overshadow royal milestones. Some recall when, during Trooping the Colour, a hasty compliment about Meghan’s jam overshadowed Catherine’s appearance. This latest incident feels like a continuation of such ill-timed distractions. The announcement itself, accompanied by a few uninspired stills from the documentary, lacked the polish one would expect. Many feel Netflix could have used this moment to celebrate Princess Catherine’s health victory rather than launching a seemingly rushed campaign for an unrelated project. Meghan, known for her bold and often attention-grabbing moves, is suspected of playing a role in this latest stunt, which has been described as another attempt to steal the spotlight.
This isn’t the first time Netflix has been accused of using royal events to boost visibility for Harry and Meghan. During the 2022 Earthshot Prize ceremony in Boston, Netflix dropped a trailer for the “Harry & Meghan” series while Catherine and William were attending the event. Many feel the streaming service is consistently trying to leverage the success and reputation of the Waleses to drum up attention for Harry and Meghan's ventures. This polo documentary announcement, coming in the wake of Catherine’s touching cancer-free announcement, appears particularly ill-conceived. Critics argue that the documentary’s release could have been delayed, but it seems Netflix hoped to generate buzz by associating the project with the popularity of the Princess of Wales.
Some commentators, such as Barjack, have suggested that Netflix’s move is more about damage control than genuine excitement for the project. With Meghan Markle's American Riviera Orchard brand facing copyright disputes and her cooking show reportedly stalled, Netflix might be shifting its focus to Harry’s polo documentary as a strategic pivot. Sources hint that the network’s enthusiasm for Meghan’s ventures has diminished, making Harry’s less controversial and more marketable polo documentary a safer bet. Some have even speculated that Netflix’s choice to prioritize Harry’s project over Meghan’s may be a subtle act of vengeance, given the underperformance of their recent endeavors.
Adding to the overall disappointment, the polo documentary announcement seems to have barely registered with the public. In a week dominated by Princess Catherine’s emotional cancer update and the news of James Earl Jones’s passing, Netflix’s attempt to generate excitement for their latest project has largely fallen flat. The contrast between the touching, family-centered video from Kensington Palace and the lackluster promotion of the documentary couldn’t be starker. The timing, execution, and public disinterest highlight the gap between the Royal Family’s dignified approach to sharing personal news and the increasingly desperate attempts by Netflix to maintain relevance through Harry and Meghan’s projects.
Ultimately, this latest move by Netflix is viewed as another attempt to overshadow a significant royal moment. While Princess Catherine continues to exemplify grace and resilience in the face of personal challenges, the efforts to divert attention to Harry and Meghan only serve to emphasize the growing disconnect between them and the Royal Family's ongoing success. As the public increasingly embraces the positive and heartwarming news from the Waleses, Netflix’s attempts to capitalize on royal-related content seem to be losing their impact, leaving Harry and Meghan’s projects overshadowed by the very figures they once sought to rival.
