The first trailer for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's new Netflix documentary has dropped after months of anticipation from royal fans.
The documentary, produced by the couple, is set to drop on the platform on 10 December and will explore the world of polo - a sport that Harry has played for years. It also promises to delve into the "grit behind the glamour".
Harry said in a statement "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. We're proud to showcase the true depth and spirit of the sport — and the intensity of its high-stakes moments."
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Netflix)The trailer sees clips of elite players speaking to the camera about their experiences with the sport, including Nachos Figueras - a close friend of the Duke of Sussex - who described the high stakes of the game, saying: "Imagine going on a horse at 35mph with someone coming at you at full speed."
Other polo players seen in the trailer include Louis Devaleix who says "the adrenaline that goes through your body," when playing the sport is "addicting". He appeared alongside Timmy Dutta, Keko Magrini, and father and son players Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso - who are set to go head to head playing against each other on the polo field.
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Netflix)In the clip, Poroto Cambiaso opens up about about facing his father - a legendary player of the sport - "I want to win against my dad, I can say that I beat the greatest of the sport." For his father's part, Adolfo is filmed saying, "I am very proud of my son but I try to beat him".
However, it seems that it won't just be life on field that is explored in the documentary, with Nachos saying: "Polo is not just a sport, polo is a lifestyle. We eat, we breathe, we sleep polo." A female voice is also heard saying that the world of polo is "glamorous" adding that "it's a sexy sport too, dirty, sweaty boys riding".
Some of the off-field drama included in the new series seems to surround the young player Timmy Dutta, a prodigious talent who is seen butting heads with his father and coach, as he insists "it's healthy to have somewhat of a personal life outside of being an athlete," to which his father replies, "Timmy is extremely charming and his looks are what they are, it's a distraction."
Louis Devaleix's personal life also looks to be a major focus, with a scene of his pregnant wife saying "Polo can have a toll on your family, and that's no secret."
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Netflix)Polo will be the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's third offering for Netflix through their production company Archewell Productions. Their series Harry & Meghan, released in 2022, was a candid exploration of the couple's love story, their royal exit, and move to California - and broke records on its release.
The premiere of the documentary was the highest-viewed documentary ever released by the streaming giant - although some critics accused the couple of rehashing old ground across its six episodes. On review accumulator Rotten Tomatoes the couple's eponymous series has only scored 45 percent positive reviews, despite the huge amount of interest generated in its release and the longstanding public fascination with the couple.
Other titles produced by the couple are Live to Lead - which saw global leaders share their stories - and Heart of Invictus, which followed six competitors preparing themselves for the games. Harry appeared in Heart of Invictus, but the documentary primarily focussed on those former service people who were taking part in the competition, and Meghan did not make an appearance in the show.
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PA)Neither the Duke nor Duchess appear in the new trailer for Polo and it remains to be seen if Prince Harry - a regular competitor on the field who regularly plays in charity polo matches - will appear in the series itself. Previous reports have claimed that Netflix bosses were "unhappy" that Harry didn't play a major part in the final cut, with a source saying: "Any reasonable person tuning into a show about polo made by Prince Harry would expect Harry to take a starring role. That he's not is hugely disappointing for Netflix. Let's face it, polo isn't exactly a mainstream sport so the attraction would have been watching Harry. Without him, it's marginal at best."
Meghan is said to be set to appear in a new lifestyle series for Netflix, which is reported to surround her new brand America Riviera Orchard, which was initially revealed earlier this year. Meghan set up a new Instagram account for the company, launched a new website, and sent out promotional jars of strawberry jam in a limited edition of 50 to her closest pals.
The cooking show is said to "celebrate the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship" and is reported to have finished filming - although it has not been announced when it will be released. America Riviera Orchard itself is said to have been dealing with some trademark issues since the initial launch, with the New York Post reporting that another company Royal Riviera, has made a protest to Meghan's trademark because of a "likelihood of confusion" between the two brands.
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