Prince Harry’s polo pal slams ‘weird’ Netflix show, says duke would ‘look like an idiot’ returning to UK
LONDON, ENGLAND: Prince Harry's new Netflix series on polo has faced its fair share of criticism, and now, a former close friend of the duke is joining the chorus.
Tommy Severn, the captain of Polo England, has publicly slammed 'Polo', calling it "very weird".
He also criticized the portrayal of Harry's involvement in the sport. He said the California-based Harry "can’t come back to England now" as any return would make him "look like an idiot".
POLO is a new documentary series that follows elite global players and offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the fast-paced world of the sport. From Archewell Productions and Boardwalk Pictures. Premiering this December. pic.twitter.com/92vu4xYW8u
— Netflix (@netflix) September 9, 2024
Tommy Severn baffled by Prince Harry's minimal presence in Netflix's 'Polo'
Netflix's 'Polo', executive produced by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, "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". The docuseries premiered on December 10.
Tommy Severn, who has played polo alongside both Prince William and Prince Harry, was particularly baffled by the docuseries' focus. Despite being billed as a deep dive into the world of polo and its fierce rivalries, Harry's appearance in the series is minimal, according to Daily Mail.
The 40-year-old prince features only briefly throughout the five episodes.
"It seemed to be more about Timmy and Tim Dutta than the Prince, who doesn’t appear until near the end," Severn said, referring to polo players Timmy Dutta, 23, and his father, who fund the team Harry plays for in the US.
Severn expressed dismay over the lack of mention of Harry's early years in the sport. When questioned about why the duke didn't mention his early polo years with Severn and his family, he responded, "I have no idea."
Tommy Severn reflects on Prince Harry's strained ties
Prince William and Harry were so close to the Severn family at one time that both kept their ponies at Severn’s grandfather’s polo stud in Gloucestershire. Additionally, Harry spent his gap year at the family’s ranch in Argentina.
Severn admitted that Harry seems to have cut ties with them. "I think Harry’s cut ties so if he came back now, he’d look like an idiot," Severn added bluntly, suggesting that any return to the UK would be a difficult and embarrassing move for the duke.
However, Severn didn't completely rule out the possibility of reconciliation in the future. "William might help him because they were close – that’s the brothers bond," he said, leaving the door open for potential healing between the brothers.
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan's latest project, 'Polo', is a flop. The show failed to make the top 10 list in Britain, America or globally, amid harsh criticism from reviewers.
Jane Fryer's review for the Daily Mail labeled the show as "plodding" and "boring," while The Guardian referred to it as an "unintentionally hilarious profile of the world’s stupidest sport".
