Prince Harry opens up about grief and mental health in new MasterClass series

In a recent discussion titled 'Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss' for the MasterClass platform, Prince Harry opened up about the profound psychological impact of losing his mother, Princess Diana, at the age of 12. Speaking with neuroscientist Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor, the Duke of Sussex detailed how the rigid constraints of life within the British royal family hindered his ability to process his grief for nearly two decades.

Prince Harry shared that official royal duties often induced panic attacks, describing the sensation of wearing a formal suit and tie as feeling like being suffocated or strangled. He revealed that after stepping down from his senior royal role, a transition referred to as Megxit, he felt a profound sense of uselessness. He credited psychotherapy for his healing process, noting that a sensory memory triggered by his mother’s perfume was a pivotal moment in reclaiming forgotten emotions and memories.

These reflections highlight his long-standing struggle to reconcile his royal responsibilities with his internal mental health challenges. The Duke continues to advocate for open discussions regarding trauma and resilience, using his personal experiences to inform his ongoing public commentary on the importance of mental health support.