Prince Harry treats Meghan Markle ‘like royalty’ in new Polo documentary while she is happy to ‘take the lead….Read More

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appear in a brief – but revealing – scene towards the end of their latest release for Netflix

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s long-awaited Netflix documentary, Polo, has been released – and, contrary to predictions, the couple do make a cameo appearance in the fifth and final episode. Filmed earlier this year, the Prince can be seen participating in a charity game for the organisation he co-founded, Sentebale, while Megan cheers him on, wearing an ivory silk and hemp Heidi Merrick dress, Aquazzura heels and vintage Chanel jewellery.

At one point during the short scene, Prince Harry can be seen introducing Meghan to world-famous polo player Alfonso Cambiaso, telling him she’s fluent in Spanish. ‘I lived there about 20 years ago, in Palermo Viejo,’ Meghan says, ‘Las Cañitas, too’. Cambiaso responds eagerly, telling her: ‘That’s great, that’s where the polo fields were.’ He goes on to ask Harry whether he speaks the language, too – at which point Meghan says ‘yes’, before laughing affectionately and clapping her husband on the back. Harry chuckles, with a smile on his face, saying: ‘He knows I don’t… a little, a little.’

Although the pair only appear in the five-part documentary for a brief moment, one body language expert has commented that it’s Meghan Markle, rather than Harry, who naturally takes centre stage. ‘Harry acts as though it is Meghan who is the royal,’ Judi James told MailOnline, adding that he frequently ‘steps back to allow his wife to take the lead’ and ‘giggles and chuckles like a naughty schoolboy in her presence’. As Meghan presents her husband with the winner’s trophy at the end of the match, James notes her almost motherly attitude, saying: ‘There is a quick kiss on the mouth as he leans over the cup but it’s Meghan placing a hand on Harry’s shoulder that suggests pride and almost maternal congratulations.’

through Archewell Productions, and marks the first time the couple have turned their hand to producing for Netflix. According to the streaming giant, the series offers a deep-dive ‘into the dedication and skill required to compete at the sport’s highest level,’ while introducing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as executive producers.

It’s unsurprising that the Prince has chosen a documentary about polo to be the first he oversees from behind the camera. Harry has been a passionate player for decades, often competing side by side with his brother, Prince William. Before he stepped back from the royal family (causing a very public rift between the two brothers) they could often be seen crossing mallets at Cirencester, Ascot, or Cowdray. The Sentebale Polo Cup, meanwhile – a charity event featuring global influencers and polo enthusiasts – has raised £792 million for the foundation’s initiatives to date.

This series offers audiences an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look into the passion and determination driving some of the world’s elite polo players, revealing the grit behind the glamour,’ Harry said in a statement on Netflix’s Tudum blog site. ‘We’re proud to showcase the true depth and spirit of the sport – and the intensity of its high-stakes moments.’ Despite the couple’s contribution, however, some have expressed disappointment that they have not taken a more active on-screen role in the documentary.

Royal expert Phil Dampier told The Sun that he would expect most viewers to be attracted mostly to see the Sussexes – and feel let down at their fleeting appearance on screen. ‘The main problem for Netflix is that Harry and Meghan are hardly in this programme,’ he explained, adding that he didn’t think the streamer was ‘getting a great deal of Harry and Meghan’ for their exorbitant fee. ‘I’m not quite sure why Netflix have done this.’

A spokesperson for Netflix, however, has previously said that the company ‘deeply values’ its relationship with the Sussexes, and that their ‘exciting journey [won’t be] ending anytime soon’. Next in the pipeline is Meghan’s long-awaited lifestyle series which will, as per Us Weekly, be ‘a take on her and the joy of living’, in line with the branding of American Riviera Orchard. From real-life documentaries to sport and cooking, it seems the Sussexes are prepared to cover it all. Watch this space…