Meghan and Harry made a splash in Miami as they staged a charity polo match for a Netflix production, despite facing rejection from the USPA which resulted in no live audience for the event.
The royal couple ventured to Miami to film the match after being turned down by the US Open Polo Championship.
Harry, drawing inspiration from his late mother Princess Diana’s philanthropic endeavors, utilized Center Bell, a charity center dedicated to children and young adults in southern African countries, as the focal point for the charity polo match and filming.
The Sussex PR team emphasized Prince Harry’s commitment to honoring Princess Diana’s legacy in HIV advocacy and his deep connection to Africa as he made his way to Miami for an intimate panel discussion and the charity polo match.
The couple, affectionately known as the Harkles, garnered media attention during a celebrity pro polo match aimed at supporting Center Bell, the charity established by Harry in 2006 to benefit communities in Lesotho and Botswana.
Amidst speculations surrounding Harry’s ties to Africa and Diana’s influence on his charitable initiatives, recent discussions have surfaced regarding the couple’s strategic public relations approach.
By orchestrating their announcements post-event to create an air of exclusivity and controlling the narrative, Harry and Meghan aim to steer clear of negative publicity leading up to their engagements.
Accompanied by their friend and Argentine polo player, Nacho Figueras, Harry and Meghan were closely followed by a camera crew from a production company associated with the popular soccer reality show, Welcome to Wrexham, for an upcoming Netflix miniseries focusing on polo.
Nacho’s involvement stemmed from his role as an ambassador for Center Bell, as he engaged with charity CEO Richard Miller and panelist Dr. Chandu Akur during the event.
Harry’s participation in the Palm Beach polo match coincided with the revelation of his collaboration on a new Netflix project centered around the world of professional polo.
While the Miami match was not part of the US Open Polo Championship, echoes of past events, such as the European Polo Championship invitation to Harry that fell through due to financial disagreements, continue to resonate within polo circles.
Despite claims of a grand turnout benefiting Center Bell, reports suggest that the Netflix polo match orchestrated by Harry and Meghan lacked substantial attendance, with only a handful of guests present alongside the film crew.
The staged nature of the event, including a scripted trophy presentation by Meghan, raises questions about the authenticity of their endeavors and the extent of their support base.
The couple’s pursuit of financial gains through staged appearances and controlled narratives has sparked debates within the polo community, questioning Harry’s alignment with the traditional values of the sport amidst his transition to a more commercialized and celebrity-centric lifestyle.
As Harry ventures further into the world of entertainment and media collaborations, the rift between his royal heritage and newfound pursuits becomes increasingly evident, leaving behind a legacy that is met with skepticism and criticism from his former circles.