Netflix has found itself in an uncomfortable position after putting its weight behind *Heart of Invictus*, which was initially presented as a potential cultural gold mine. Unfortunately, the show has failed to live up to expectations, crashing and burning like a poorly timed wedding toast. Premiering on August 30, 2023, the docuseries aimed to spotlight wounded veterans training for the 2022 Invictus Games—a feel-good sports event. However, it turns out that the games don’t attract much attention unless you’re personally involved, and the show’s reception reflects that.
While *Heart of Invictus* did earn some praise with an 86% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it wasn't enough to generate any real buzz. Critics who enjoy heartwarming documentaries found some value in it, but the average Netflix viewer wasn’t exactly flocking to watch injured veterans jogging around for a chance at gold. As a result, the show didn’t make it into Netflix’s top 10 most-watched list after its release. The viewership numbers only paint a bleaker picture: just 300,000 views in the months following the premiere. For a show that carries the backing of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archwell Productions—an organization that thrives on attention—those are disappointing numbers. It's a little embarrassing, especially when the show’s premise revolves around helping veterans but fails to generate any real public interest.
This lack of success shouldn't come as a surprise, given that the Invictus Games themselves haven’t exactly become a global sensation. While the event is cherished by its participants and their families, it doesn’t draw a mainstream audience. Inspired by a U.S. event and made possible by the royal family’s financial support, the Invictus Games haven’t managed to capture a wider global following. So, it’s no shock that *Heart of Invictus* has struggled to gain traction.
What’s more concerning is how veterans, who deserve far more, seem to be used as props in a royal circus. While they may get some screen time, it’s hard to believe they’re thrilled to be part of a project that seems more about promoting Harry’s image than telling their own stories. It almost feels as if Harry believed his involvement in the games would be enough to turn *Heart of Invictus* into a hit—but unfortunately, it wasn’t. The event is already losing steam, and with fewer competitors, it seems unlikely to go much further. Maybe Harry and Meghan can take the show to schools, but even children grow bored of these things quickly.
And just when it seemed like things couldn’t get worse, enter the polo show—the next potential Netflix disaster. This time, instead of a professional narrator, Harry’s friend Nacho will be taking the lead. If that isn’t a recipe for irrelevance, it’s hard to imagine what is. The polo show is more likely to highlight the cruelty of polo ponies and serve as a reminder of Harry’s involvement in the unfortunate demise of his pony, Drizzle. Add to that Harry’s obsession with polo, which doesn’t exactly align with the image of someone who’s supposedly dedicated to helping others, and the show seems like another vanity project doomed to fail.
In the end, *Heart of Invictus* is just another poorly executed, self-serving royal project. It’s clear that Netflix’s attempt to turn the Sussex brand into something meaningful was destined to fail from the start. The true tragedy here isn’t just the lack of attention the show received—it’s that Harry was handed a platform to genuinely help veterans and instead turned it into another stage for his personal narrative.
