He went on to explain that grief can be deeply disorienting at any age and doesn’t simply fade when ignored. Experiencing that level of loss as a child, especially under intense public scrutiny, made it even more difficult.
“There have been many times when I’ve felt overwhelmed,” he admitted, adding that there were periods when he felt lost, betrayed, and under constant pressure, both externally and internally. Despite that, he often felt he had to carry on as if everything was fine, not wanting to disappoint others.
For years, he said, he coped by shutting down emotionally, which may have felt easier at the time, though he lacked the tools to properly process what he was going through.
Harry also touched on his decision in 2020 to step back from royal duties with Meghan, a move the couple said was influenced by ongoing pressures and concerns for their well-being. This week, he shared that his mother’s experience played a role in that decision.