Just a few months after Prince Harry was slammed for posting about the Invictus Games on nephew Prince George‘s 11th birthday, he and Meghan Markle have come under fire for the poor timing of another announcement. (Although this one technically might not be their fault…)
A few hours after Kate Middleton revealed that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment in an emotional three-minute video shared to the Prince and Princess of Wales Instagram account, Netflix released a teaser for Prince Harry’s new show, Polo. And understandably, the internet thought that the timing was *not* a coincidence!
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Did Prince Harry Try To Overshadow Kate Middleton’s Cancer Update Video?
On Monday, September 9th, the Princess of Wales gave her fans an update on her battle with cancer, sharing a heartfelt message accompanied by a touching video of her family enjoying time in nature.
“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” the mom-of-three says in the video, before going on to reflect on how “incredibly tough” the “last nine months” were for the whole family. “Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown,” she continued.
“The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything,” the Princess of Wales added.
Just hours after the heartfelt video dropped, Netflix shared the first teaser for Prince Harry’s Polo series. The post featured some images from the series, and the following caption: “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.”
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
Social Media Slams The Timing Of Netflix’s ‘Polo’ Teaser
The streaming platform was slammed for the poor timing of its Polo promo, but there’s currently no way of knowing whether this was done solely by Netflix and its PR team, or whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex also had their say.
For what it’s worth, we also still don’t know whether the former Suits actress was involved when her friend Nacho Figueras posted about her American Riviera Orchard brand’s new jam flavor and new dog biscuits on the same day as Trooping the Color, but she was still criticized for it either way. And that seems to be the case here, although Netflix also seems to be facing a lot of criticism.
“Posting this straight after Catherine’s announcement about her cancer ensures that not only will I not watch this, I will also cancel Netflix. Screw you,” one critic wrote on Netflix’s X post. “[Expletive] off you losers… I’m sure you will release it during Catherine’s Christmas special. Boycott Netflix!” exclaimed a second, as a third said: “Show some freaking respect! Nobody cares about stupid pony boy! #GodSavePrincessCatherine”
"Great timing @netflix you're disgusting. Trying to piggy back off the Princess of Wales to sell a crappy series about a ponce who abuses horses," slammed another X user. "Lmao right on schedule… this is so pathetic even for them," criticized another. "Disgusting to market this animal abuser's 'series' using his sister-in-law's popularity and good will the day she announces she is through with chemotherapy. Absolutely sickening," someone else added.
"Did you think it was big and clever to release this just after Princess Catherine released her amazing video and news about her recovering from Cancer? You could have held off posting this about a poxy polo show!" exclaimed another X user, while someone else said: "It is shameful to post this on the heels of the POW video. Not impressed."
Regardless of their involvement in the timing of the teaser, Prince Harry and Meghan still received a lot of criticism directly. "#ShamelessGrifters The date of this teaser is in such shocking bad taste," slammed one critic on X.
"Such bad timing. Read the room, Harry and Meghan," added another, as someone else wrote: "How utterly tasteless to release this on the day we hear Catherine Princess of Wales has ended her chemotherapy treatment & we see the most beautiful video of the Wales family. Words fail me. What a despicable couple #HarryandMeghan. I'll not be watching it."
