Prince Harry is facing an animal-rights problem over a recently announced documentary series he is producing, focusing on the high-intensity world of professional polo.
The sport is played on horseback, with smaller ponies chosen for their agility and speed on the field as opposing teams attempt to hit a single ball into their rivals' goal using long, wooden mallets.
Polo is best known for being a favored sport of royals such as Harry, Prince William and King Charles. There is an elite and exclusive social scene, with some games being sponsored or held to raise funds for charity.
Polo has long been criticized by animal-rights campaigners, alongside other equine sports, owing to the high risk of injury to the ponies involved; the animals face the danger of suffering broken legs and being struck by mallets during play. Harry's decision therefore to base a new high-profile docuseries around the sport leaves him open to criticism.
Newsweek approached representatives of Prince Harry via email for comment.
When asked by Newsweek for their reaction to the Archewell Productions polo show announcement, a representative of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said the nonprofit organization is trying to encourage people away from the sport.
"Polo involves many of the harsh practices horses are prominently subjected to in the horseracing world, including the use of whips that sting and sharp metal spurs that dig into their sides," PETA's Vice President of Programmes and Operations Elisa Allen told Newsweek.
"Horses are accidentally hit in the head or jaw with the mallet and sustain ankle injuries from being yanked forcefully to make sharp turns and driven hard by competitive, aggressive riders. Once horses are considered 'used up,' just like those used for racing, many are killed, discarded, or sent off to slaughter.
"PETA encourages polo enthusiasts to take up water polo or another harmless hobby involving only willing participants instead," Allen said.
This is not the first time Harry's involvement in the sport has generated criticism. In 2010, it was reported that one of the prince's favorite ponies, named Drizzle, died of a heart attack after being retired midgame. At the time, PETA said the death was "by no means an isolated incident" in polo.
"Yet again this shows that whenever animals are exploited for 'sport,' their welfare comes in a distant third behind winning and making money," PETA said in a press release.
Harry's new project for Netflix was announced on April 11 by Archewell Productions, the company started by Harry and Meghan when they split from the monarchy in 2020.
The company announced two new shows, one "curated" by Meghan based on her love of entertaining, and another based on Harry's personal passion, polo.
The show, Archewell Productions said, would be "shot primarily at the US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida at The USPA National Polo Center, and in partnership with Boardwalk Pictures, will provide viewers with unprecedented access to the world of professional polo."
"Known primarily for its aesthetic and social scene," the announcement added. "The series will pull the curtain back on the grit and passion of the sport, capturing players and all it takes to compete at the highest level."
Harry and Meghan hit the ground running after the announcement was made, appearing at the Royal Salute Polo Challenge at the Grand Champions Polo Club in Florida on April 12. The prince was photographed with a film crew in the state the next day.
No release date or title for the polo project has yet been released. Reports suggest both Harry and Meghan's new shows are in the early stages of production.
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
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James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more
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