Los Angeles, California — Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, opened up about his emotional struggles during a recent MasterClass session, recalling a significant period of depression shortly after relocating to Canada in late 2019 with his wife, Meghan, and their then-infant son, Archie. The session, which addressed themes of grief and resilience, was conducted in collaboration with neuroscientist Mary-Frances O’Connor and released on October 8, 2026.
Harry described experiencing an unexpected “adrenaline crash” just days after leaving the intense environment of royal life in the U.K. He explained that the sudden calm in Canada left him feeling unmoored. “Being in Canada, away from the stressful environment, my body reacted drastically, and within just a few days, I found myself in a state of depression for about two weeks,” he shared.
The family initially settled on Vancouver Island, seeking some distance and space to think through their decision to step back from royal duties, which they announced in January 2020. By March 2020, they had moved to Los Angeles, a shift that marked the beginning of a new chapter. Recently, they returned to the U.K. and now reside in the Cotswolds, though the relocation has already been marked by challenges, including moving their children to a different school just two days into term due to security concerns.
A significant element of the discussion focused on Harry’s grief over the death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. Harry was only 12 years old when she died in a car accident in 1997. He recounted how, as a young boy, he felt pressured to mask his emotions, putting on a facade of being fine while he felt a profound sense of loss. “For years, I said I was okay when underneath, I was simply numb,” he admitted, indicating that he struggled for a long time with expressing his true feelings.
Harry revealed that he remained in denial about his mother’s death for nearly a decade, clinging to the notion that she might one day return. It wasn’t until the private burial that he allowed himself to grieve openly, stating that it was there he shed tears for the first time. “I hadn’t cried again for almost 20 years after that moment,” he said, highlighting how deeply rooted his pain was.
The Duke also connected his military experiences to the emotional turmoil he faced. Serving two tours in Afghanistan, he described the military as a means of escaping his feelings, only to discover that combat had its own set of psychological challenges. “I thought I could outrun my emotions by going to war,” Harry said, noting that his post-traumatic stress was intertwined with childhood traumas, which became apparent after returning home without a mission or purpose.
Harry now adheres to a personal rule of never being away from his wife and children for more than ten days, indicating a commitment to maintaining familial bonds as a source of strength. He worked on the MasterClass content over the summer, reflecting a deeper engagement with mental health and the implications of his personal history.
Meanwhile, Meghan has been seen engaging in public life, recently sharing tea with human rights advocate Malala Yousafzai in London. With the upcoming 30th anniversary of Diana’s death in August 2027, Harry is reportedly contemplating the production of a documentary that would honor his mother’s legacy, melding personal reminiscence with a broader narrative around grief and healing.