Prince Harry got candid about how the death of his mother, Princess Diana, affected his mental health for decades, revealing that unresolved grief and trauma eventually contributed to some periods of panic, depression, as well as emotional numbness.
In his new MasterClass, Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss, released October 8, Harry reflected on his mental health journey and the impact of losing Diana at age 12.
1. Diana’s death left Harry emotionally numb
Diana breathed her last in a tragic car crash in August 1997 in Paris. The Duke of Sussex said he spent years responding to questions about his wellbeing by saying he was fine, while facing emotional shutdown.
“For 15, 20 years, when I was being asked, ‘Are you okay?’ My response was, ‘I’m fine.’ It was numbness, emotional shutdown,” he stated.
2. Stress became a coping mechanism
Harry believes adrenaline became a driving force in his life after Diana’s death. He called the military a distraction that let him to focus on tasks instead of his grief.
3. Moving to Canada triggered depression
From relocation to Canada with Meghan Markle and their son Archie in late 2019, Harry faced what he called an “adrenaline crash.”
“I actually slipped into depression for about two weeks,” he opened up, adding that he felt he “couldn’t function without adrenaline.”
4. Trauma also affected his body
Harry recalled panic attacks and feeling as though a shirt collar was suffocating him. He stated these experiences made him realize he was required to acknowledge something deeper.
5. Healing changed his view of Diana
Harry said he once felt guilty about being happy without his mother. Eventually, he realized that Diana “just wanted me to be happy.”
Prince Harry stated he was carrying her legacy via charitable work gives him purpose and continues to shape his life.
