Harry says he 'slipped into depression' during royal exit

Covered by USA Today, HuffPost and 10 more since

  • Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
  • Diana, Princess of Wales
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
  • Canada
  • United Kingdom
  • California
  • Charles I of England
  • Paris
A secluded wooden house among misty evergreens on a gray coastline, one window softly lit under an overcast autumn sky.

What happened

Prince Harry says he "slipped into depression for about two weeks" after he, Meghan and their son Archie moved to Canada in late 2019, shortly before the couple stepped back as working royals. He described an "adrenaline crash" in a new MasterClass on grief, made with neuroscientist Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor and released Oct. 8.

Summary

Prince Harry says leaving royal life briefly knocked him off his feet. In a new MasterClass on grief released Oct. 8, he recalled that within two or three days of arriving in Canada with Meghan and their son Archie in late 2019, he went through an "adrenaline crash" unlike anything he had felt before. He said he had grown so used to stress that he "became useless around the house" and "slipped into depression for about two weeks" while feeling he could not function without adrenaline. The family went to Canada, he said, to get some space and think. In January 2020 the couple announced they would step back as working royals. [1] [2] [3] [7] [8] [9] [11] [12]

The one-and-a-half-hour course, called "Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss," pairs Harry with neuroscientist Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor, who also lost her mother. It came out ahead of World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10. Much of it centers on Princess Diana, who died in a Paris car crash in 1997 when Harry was 12. He said he cried only at her burial and then not again for nearly two decades, and that he felt guilty about being happy without her. He called the army the "perfect distraction" from his grief. Panic attacks after his second Afghanistan tour in 2013 led him to therapy, which he says gave him "permission to grieve" and taught him more about himself in a few sessions than in 20 years. [1] [5] [8] [9] [12]

Harry also shared a family rule: he tries to spend no more than 10 days away from Meghan and their children, Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5. The family moved back to Britain in August after six years abroad, mostly in California. King Charles has written that the couple will not use their "His or Her Royal Highness" styles, describing their position as "akin to private citizens" with commercial and charitable interests. HuffPost and Vanity Fair report that Harry may be working on a documentary about his mother for the 30th anniversary of her death. A source told HuffPost he is still weighing the most meaningful ways to honor her legacy. [1] [2] [6] [7] [10] [12]

Summary written by Vox Populi News from the 12 sources below. See all sources

Key questions

When did Prince Harry experience depression?

He says it happened within days of moving to Canada with Meghan and Archie in late 2019, when he went through an "adrenaline crash" and was depressed for about two weeks. [7] [8] [9] [12]

What is Prince Harry's MasterClass about?

Called "Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss," it features Harry and neuroscientist Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor discussing how grief affects the brain and body, drawing heavily on Harry's loss of Princess Diana. [1] [8] [9] [12]

Where do Harry and Meghan live now?

They moved back to Britain in August with their two children after six years abroad, mainly in California. [1] [7] [9]

Sources 12

  1. 1USA Today

    Prince Harry 'slipped into depression' after royal exit with Meghan

    "When times are tough, I'm like 'hi, I need some help here, guide me in the right way,'" Harry said. LONDON -Prince Harry is opening up on depression, loss and the powerful effects of grief.

    Read on USA Today (opens in a new tab)
  2. 2HuffPost

    Prince Harry Talks About Slipping Into Depression For Two Weeks

    Prince Harry is opening up about slipping into a two-week depression after his earth-shattering royal step-back six years ago.

    Carly Ledbetter

    Read on HuffPost (opens in a new tab)
  3. 3TMZ

    Prince Harry Says He Was Depressed After Moving to Canada with Meghan Markle, Archie

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's move to Canada took a toll on him ... with the Duke of Sussex admitting he felt depressed after landing in the Great White North.

    Read on TMZ (opens in a new tab)
  4. 4Cosmopolitan

    Truth behind Harry and Meghan's 'plans' to "eat humble pie" and reunite with William and Kate revealed

    Reports that Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, returned to the UK with plans to "eat humble pie" and apologise to Prince William, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and King Charles and Queen…

    Read on Cosmopolitan (opens in a new tab)
  5. 5Page Six

    Prince Harry admits he speaks to a portrait of mom Princess Diana -- and always asks the same question

    Prince Harry detailed how he often looks at an old portrait of his late mother, Princess Diana, and wonders what she'd think of his life today.

    Eric Todisco

    Read on Page Six (opens in a new tab)
  6. 6E! Online

    Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Kids Follow This Royally Sweet 10-Day Family Rule

    Watch: Prince Harry Says He "Slipped Into Depression" After Canada Move With Meghan Markle, Son Archie Prince Harry has a reigning rule in his family.

    Read on E! Online (opens in a new tab)
  7. 7Us Weekly

    Prince Harry Reveals 'Key' Rule in His Family With Wife Meghan Markle Amid Life in the U.K.

    Prince Harry is opening up about balancing his professional commitments alongside his personal life with wife Meghan Markle.

    Ryan Hudgins

    Read on Us Weekly (opens in a new tab)
  8. 8The Hollywood Reporter

    Prince Harry Gets Real on Grief, Panic Attacks and Not Crying for Years After Princess Diana's Death

    Class is in session for Prince Harry, and swearing is allowed. "Let's fucking go," the Duke of Sussex says at the top of a new and revelatory conversation that debuted Thursday on MasterClass.

    Chris Gardner

    Read on The Hollywood Reporter (opens in a new tab)
  9. 9Harper's BAZAAR

    Prince Harry Admits He Went Through a Period of Depression After Leaving the U.K.

    Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

    Joel Calfee

    Read on Harper's BAZAAR (opens in a new tab)
  10. 10SheKnows

    Prince Harry Reveals 1 Non-Negotiable Rule In His Marriage To Meghan Markle

    Prince Harry is sharing how he and Meghan Markle keep their love alive. While talking about their marriage in his new MasterClass, Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss, he said they try…

    Joyann Jeffrey

    Read on SheKnows (opens in a new tab)
  11. 11Just Jared

    Prince Harry Reveals He Suffered 2 Weeks of Depression After Leaving UK for North America

    Prince Harry is getting candid about a two-week period where he experienced depression.

    Kim Brown

    Read on Just Jared (opens in a new tab)
  12. 12Vanity Fair

    In Prince Harry's MasterClass on Grieving His Mom, Princess Diana, He Vows to "Protect Her Legacy

    The semiretired royal shares new insights about grieving the death of Diana, who was killed in a 1997 Paris car crash when he was a child, in Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss, a new…

    Savannah Walsh

    Read on Vanity Fair (opens in a new tab)