Prince Harry opens up about grief, depression and his life after leaving royal duties

Prince Harry has spoken candidly about the loss of his mother, Princess Diana, his struggles with grief and the emotional challenges

Prince Harry has spoken candidly about the loss of his mother, Princess Diana, his struggles with grief and the emotional challenges he faced after stepping away from royal duties and relocating to Canada.

The Duke of Sussex shared these personal experiences during Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss, a MasterClass released on October 8. In the session, he spoke with neuroscientist and grief expert Dr Mary-Frances O’Connor about the effects of loss, trauma and grief on emotional and physical well-being.

Harry, who was 12 when Princess Diana died in 1997, reflected on how difficult experiences had shaped his life and explained why family relationships and personal fulfilment had become increasingly important to him.

Prince Harry Recalls Experiencing Depression in Canada

During the discussion, Harry described an experience he called an “adrenaline crash” shortly after arriving in Canada. He said the change occurred within two or three days of leaving the stressful environment he had experienced in Britain.

Harry explained that his body had presumably become accustomed to high levels of adrenaline, and the sudden change in circumstances left him struggling to adjust.

He revealed that he experienced depression for approximately two weeks during this period, describing it as an unfamiliar and difficult experience.

The Duke said he had never experienced such a sudden decline before and found it challenging to function without the heightened state of alertness to which he had become accustomed.

His account offered a personal perspective on the emotional consequences of major life transitions, particularly when someone moves away from prolonged stress and attempts to establish a different lifestyle.

Why Harry and Meghan Left Royal Duties

Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, moved to Canada with their son, Prince Archie, in 2019. In January 2020, the couple announced their decision to step back from their positions as senior working members of the British Royal Family.

The decision, widely described as “Megxit”, marked a significant turning point in their personal and professional lives.

Harry explained that he initially wanted to leave Britain to gain space and time to reflect on his circumstances.

His recollections of the period following the move provide further insight into the personal challenges he encountered while adjusting to life outside the royal institution.

The MasterClass discussion focuses on his individual experiences of grief and resilience rather than suggesting that everyone responds to loss or major changes in the same way.

Harry’s 10-Day Rule for Family Time

Harry also discussed how he balances his professional commitments with his responsibilities as a husband and father.

He described the happiness he derives from spending time with Meghan and their children, while explaining that his work provides him with a sense of purpose.

According to Harry, maintaining this balance requires him to ensure that he does not spend more than 10 days away from his wife and children.

He explained that time with his family, particularly their children, provides him with energy and happiness, while his professional activities allow him to contribute meaningfully through his work.

For the Duke of Sussex, maintaining a healthy balance involves more than dividing time between personal and professional responsibilities. It also means recognising the importance of emotional well-being, family connections and having a clear sense of purpose.

Through the MasterClass, Harry has offered a personal account of navigating grief, adapting to major life changes and finding stability through family and meaningful work.