Prince Harry and Meghan Markle put on a glamorous appearance when appearing at a charity polo match in Florida – and one expert believes it will have sent a message to the Royal Family back in the UK

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ‘sun-drenched’ polo exploits proved ‘bittersweet’ for their royal relatives back in the UK, an expert has claimed.

The pair put on a glamorous display and were seen smiling and walking hand in hand at Harry’s fundraising polo match in Florida at the weekend. Harry’s team won both games, in front of around 300 spectators meaning he received the trophy for winning the mini-tournament and received a kiss on the cheek from Meghan, who wore a chic white dress and heels, when accepting the award.

Their appearance came just hours after it was announced polo will be the subject of a new Netflix series, which will see both Harry and Meghan acting as executive producers. And according to royal historian and expert Dr Tessa Dunlop, the appearance seemed worlds away from the royals back home.

Harry and Meghan walked hand-in-hand at the event (
Image:
PA)
She told the Mirror: “Is it a Jilly Cooper novel? Or perhaps a Hollywood film? No, it’s the Sussexes providing real-life drama in the only way American ‘royalty’ can – on and off the Polo pitch. According to his Argentinian rival (and friend) Nacho Figueras, ‘Harry is a very good rider’.

“And sure enough Haz scored the opening goal at the weekend’s charity fundraiser in Wellington. He shone off the pitch too, in white slacks and a crisp blue shirt, clinching the trophy for his team Royal Salute Sentebale.

“The choreography was exquisite and we all know why. Meghan was in charge. Sparkling in a white halter neck (a clever spin on one-time ropes of royal pearls), the Duchess was unafraid to take matters in hand, commandeering the Sentebale Polo Cup photo-ops with a deft flick of the wrist. Here is a woman comfortable both in front and behind the camera.

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Meghan kisses Harry after presenting him with the trophy
“Naysayers groaned at Meghan’s presumptive style. But not Netflix, who has just signed a slate of new productions with Archewell Productions, including one focused on polo – the sport of kings. In Harry and Meghan’s world, a flick of the wrist, and anything is possible.

“Including true love. Irrespective of the inevitable side-sniping, the Sussexes were on dazzling form at the weekend. Hot Harry stole the show and his wife looked like the cat who got the cream. But the biggest winner is America.

“Waterlogged Britain may well take umbrage. After all, we were (courtesy of our imperial exploits) the first European country to play polo, and subsequently, the royals made it their own. Harry comes from a fine line of polo players: Philip took up the sport in Malta, and Charles followed suit as the playboy prince.”

And Tessa added that thanks to Netflix, the appearance has allowed the Sussexes to raise money as well as make cash. She added: “So yes, there was something a little bittersweet about the Sussexes’ sun-drench exploits this weekend. Just as our own beleaguered royals are forced to go to ground with a myriad of health problems, Harry and Meghan dazzle in untouchable designer whites, parading their exquisite pedigree Stateside.

“Who else could so seamlessly pivot from a panel on Africa to the polo pitch in 24 hours? Thanks to Netflix, the Sussexes have squared the circle of raising money and making money all at the same time. Like it or not, Prince Haz has still got it. And if Meghan has anything to do with it, this is just the beginning.”