Prince Harry ‘wants to win at all costs’, says polo player in new Netflix series
Prince Harry “wants to win at all costs”, a polo competitor has said in the royal’s new Netflix documentary about the sport.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are executive producers of Polo, a five-part series released on Tuesday, shot primarily at the US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida.
The show promises to offer an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the “sexy sport” of kings, and specifically, “dirty, sweaty boys... riding”.
It is produced by Archewell Productions, the Sussexes’s media company, and focuses on the players’ rivalries and personal lives. The Sussexes are by no means the stars of the show, however, only featuring occasionally on screen.
Netflix
In the fifth episode, the Duke is filmed taking part in the annual Royal Salute Polo Challenge in aid of his charity, Sentebale. The Duke scored two goals at the event, which took place in Florida in April.
Louis Devaleix, a professional polo player who was on the opposing team, says to the camera: “Prince Harry was not relaxing. He wanted to win at all costs, and I was the same way.”
As the match unfolds, the commentator enthusiastically tells the crowd: “Prince Harry on the move, working it. Oh, what a run. Ladies and gentlemen, what a run and what a goal by the Prince. Give it up, if you will, for the Duke of Sussex.”
A proud Duchess, wearing sunglasses, round gold earrings, a cream halterneck dress and what appears to be a Cartier watch that once belonged to the Duke’s mother Diana, Princess of Wales is seen smiling and clapping as she celebrates Harry’s success, with his team eventually triumphing 3-1.
She later presents the trophy to her husband on the podium, greeting him with a kiss – a moment reported at the time.
Elsewhere, the Duke introduces the Duchess to Argentine Adolfo Cambiaso, the professional polo player, proudly saying: “She’s fluent in Spanish.”
The Duchess responds in Spanish and chats confidently about her time living in Argentina and its May 25 Revolution Day national holiday.
Netflix
“Yes, I lived there about 20 years ago. In Palermo Viejo. Las Canitas too… I love the 25th of May,” she says in a scene complete with subtitles.
Cambiaso asks whether the Duke speaks Spanish, prompting him to laugh as he says: “He knows I don’t.” The Duchess insists: “A little, a little.”
The Duke also chats to Cambiaso about competing against his 18-year-old son Poroto, a rising polo star.
“You’ve created something special,” he said. “He’s doing amazing things.”
As they pull on their boots ahead of the match, Cambiaso said: “We play together a lot, you know. You can play with your kid, something that you love.”
The Duke replies: “Yeah, but what’s it like playing against your kid?”
Cambiaso replies: “It’s difficult. And worse when you lose.”
Harry laughs, adding: “You’re proud, but also angry.”
Archewell Productions, formed by the couple in 2020, is “dedicated to illuminating thought-provoking and diverse narratives that underscore our common humanity and celebrate community” but its success in the cut-throat world of show business has been mixed.
Polo is the fourth Netflix production released by the couple to date, following Harry & Meghan, their six-part documentary series, Live to Lead, a series of pre-recorded interviews they introduced, and Heart of Invictus about the Duke’s Invictus Games.
The Duchess’s forthcoming series based around her new commercial venture, American Riviera Orchard, which focuses on “the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining and friendship”, is in production.
