The short version
- Prince Harry reported slipping into depression for approximately two weeks after moving to Canada in 2019, describing an inability to function without the adrenaline previously sustained by high-stress environments.
- The Duke attributed his long-term emotional numbness to feelings of guilt and disloyalty regarding happiness after his mother’s death, a state he attempted to escape through military deployments.
- Therapeutic interventions, including using his mother’s perfume, helped him process grief, while experts in the accompanying program explained how the brain registers loss as a search for a missing person.
Prince Harry has provided new details regarding his mental health struggles during the period immediately preceding his permanent departure from royal duties. In a recently released online masterclass focused on grief, the Duke of Sussex described experiencing a severe depressive episode lasting about two weeks after he and his wife, Meghan, temporarily relocated to Canada in 2019. This interim move was intended to provide distance from the intense media scrutiny and pressure associated with their roles within the British royal family before they eventually settled in the United States.
The Duke characterized this period as an 'adrenaline crash,' a phenomenon he had never encountered prior to leaving the UK. He explained that his body had become accustomed to operating under high levels of stress, which kept his brain functioning through sustained adrenaline production. Once removed from that environment, he found himself unable to perform basic daily tasks, describing himself as useless around the house and dependent on the physiological arousal provided by a stressful lifestyle.
This acute episode was framed within a broader context of long-term emotional suppression. Prince Harry stated that for years following the death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, he felt emotionally numb. He attributed this state to a deep-seated sense of guilt and disloyalty, believing that experiencing joy or happiness would be a betrayal of her memory. Consequently, he felt compelled to remain sad and detached as a way to prove he still missed her.
The Duke revealed that he attempted to outrun these unresolved feelings by serving in the military, specifically citing two deployments to Afghanistan during his twenties. He noted that despite the dangers and intensity of combat, these experiences did not resolve his internal emotional state. Instead, they served as a distraction from the grief he had been suppressing since he was twelve years old. It was only after crying at his mother’s funeral that he stopped weeping for nearly two decades, indicating a prolonged period of emotional shutdown.
Breaking this cycle required professional intervention. Prince Harry credited a therapist with suggesting he use his mother’s perfume as a tool to unlock suppressed emotions. This sensory trigger helped him realize that his mother’s primary wish was for him to be happy, rather than perpetually mourning. This realization marked a turning point in his ability to process grief and move forward without the burden of perceived disloyalty.
The masterclass, filmed in California over the summer and produced by MasterClass, features insights from neuroscientist Mary-Frances O’Connor. She explained that the human brain does not immediately register the death of a loved one as a final loss but rather as a disappearance. The brain continues to search for the missing person until it is taught otherwise, which can prolong grief and complicate emotional recovery. This scientific perspective provided a framework for understanding why Prince Harry felt stuck in his grief for so long.
Prince Harry and his brother, King William, have both been open about their mental health challenges, particularly those stemming from their mother’s death. Both princes are actively involved with various mental health charities, using their platforms to reduce stigma and encourage public discussion. Their shared experiences highlight the complex ways in which trauma and grief can manifest differently within family members, even when rooted in the same event.
The Duke’s comments come as he and his family have recently returned to the United Kingdom after six years living in the US. They are currently believed to be residing in the Cotswolds. While the initial move to Canada was meant to provide space and reduce stress, it inadvertently triggered a depressive episode due to the sudden absence of adrenaline-fueled activity. This revelation adds nuance to the narrative of their exit, illustrating that stepping away from high-pressure environments can sometimes produce unexpected psychological consequences.
The timing of this disclosure has drawn attention given the ongoing public interest in the relationship between Prince Harry and his brother. While the masterclass focuses on personal grief and mental health management, it does not directly address current family dynamics or political rifts. Instead, it offers a candid look at the physiological and psychological toll of living under constant scrutiny and the difficult process of learning to function without the coping mechanisms developed in crisis mode.
Support resources for mental health are available through various channels, including BBC Action Line, as public figures continue to share their personal struggles to normalize conversations around depression and grief. Prince Harry’s account underscores the importance of recognizing when stress becomes a crutch and the necessity of professional support in transitioning to a healthier, more balanced life.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Harry says he 'slipped into depression' during royal exit
