Prince Harry revealed he suffered a two-week bout of depression after relocating to Canada, describing an adrenaline crash
following his departure from royal duties. Speaking in a new MasterClass on grief, the Duke of Sussex also discussed the long-term impact of suppressing his emotions after his mother’s death.
Relocation to Canada and the Adrenaline Crash
In a newly released MasterClass episode titled Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss,
Prince Harry opened up about the mental health challenges he faced after stepping back from his role as a working royal. The Duke of Sussex, who recently returned to the UK from the US, explained that his move to Canada triggered an unexpected physical and emotional reaction.
“Being in Canada, away from the stressful environment where presumably my body was just pumped full of adrenaline, within two or three days, I experienced this adrenaline crash, something that I’d never experienced before. It was as if I needed stress in order to get the adrenaline to make my brain function because I became useless around the house. I actually slipped into depression for about two weeks and I felt like I couldn’t function without adrenaline.”
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
The prince described his time in the military as a perfect distraction
that kept him in an adrenalized state
for years, helping him avoid confronting his grief. He noted that the sudden shift to a quieter life in Canada left him struggling to process his emotions without the constant pressure he had previously relied on.
He observed that men are frequently discouraged from expressing vulnerability. He remarked that men and young boys are conditioned to view crying as a sign of weakness or unacceptability, a mindset he actively rejects. Describing his own past habits, he noted that he suppressed his feelings for two decades, which took a severe toll on his mental and physical well-being. He stressed that individuals must allow themselves to cry.
Grief and the Impact of Princess Diana’s Death
Much of the MasterClass, co-created with neuroscientist Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor, focuses on the long-term effects of childhood trauma. Harry, who was 12 when his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, died in a 1997 car crash, admitted that he spent nearly two decades in an emotional shutdown.
Footage in the program flashes back to 1997 to show him as a 12-year-old at his mother’s funeral.
He spoke candidly about feeling a sense of guilt during his youth, believing that displaying happiness would be a betrayal of his mother’s memory. I felt like I had to be sad and I had to be emotionally numb in order to prove to her that I missed her,
the duke explained. He revealed that he eventually reached a huge mental shift
where he realized that she just wanted me to be happy.
The prince also shared that his emotional suppression was so severe that he lost access to his own memories of his mother. I forgot what my mom sounded like. I forgot her laugh. I couldn’t really visualize what she looked like without looking at a photograph of her,
he said. He credited a therapist with helping him unlock everything
by suggesting he use his mother’s perfume as a sensory trigger.
Connection to Diana and Future Outlook
Reflecting on his life today, Harry noted that he still feels a connection to his mother, particularly during difficult times. He described these moments as fleeting
but significant, often turning to her memory for guidance when he feels lost. A lot has happened in my life in the last six years and she has turned up at moments where it makes complete sense,
he told O’Connor.
The MasterClass, which was filmed in California over the summer following approaches made to Harry last year, aims to provide tools for others coping with bereavement. The episode arrives ahead of World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, serving as part of the duke’s ongoing public discussions regarding mental health awareness.
