Prince Harry Accused of 'Cash Grab' Over Princess Diana Grief MasterClass

Prince Harry's new MasterClass course, titled "Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss," which debuted on October 8, has drawn criticism from some royal experts who label it a "cash grab" and accuse him of being a "grief grifter." The Duke of Sussex discusses his lifelong struggle with grief following the death of his mother, Princess Diana, when he was 12 years old.

According to reports, Harry received $100,000 for the course, in addition to a share of subscription revenue. Forbes previously indicated that most MasterClass instructors earn at least $100,000 and a percentage of revenue. A spokesperson confirmed Harry was paid by MasterClass but declined to comment further.

Some royal commentators have expressed skepticism about Harry's repeated public discussions of his grief, contrasting his approach with that of his brother, Prince William, who has largely grieved privately. British broadcaster Helena Chard stated that Harry "continuously paints himself a victim" and that his engagement with Diana's memory and public grief "makes a quick buck."

Royal commentator Hilary Fordwich echoed this sentiment, questioning, "What mother would want her child to be miserable and mourning so many years later?" She also noted that Harry faces accusations of being a "grief grifter" for public projects that could generate revenue.

However, others defend Harry's decision to share his experiences. Royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner believes Harry is using his platform to raise awareness for mental health, encouraging others to discuss their experiences and seek help. Turner stated, "I feel this is not a ploy on his part to create attention or sympathy from the public. I see it as an act of bravery on his part to distance himself from former royal trappings and show himself as most people see him: a man of the people."

In the MasterClass, Harry shared personal reflections on his grief. "I didn't cry when I was told my mom died, only at her burial, and then not again for nearly two decades," he said, as quoted by People magazine. "I was convinced that was strength, but it wasn't. It was a 12-year-old boy with no permission to fall apart and no roadmap for how to heal."

He also described struggling to find happiness after Diana's death, feeling guilty for experiencing joy. "But the reality is, what I discovered was actually she just wanted me to be happy," Harry stated. "And that was a huge mental shift for me. It freed me, and it gave me a whole different outlook on life."

Harry also discussed his experience after stepping back from royal duties with his wife, Meghan Markle, and son, Prince Archie, in late 2019. He recalled experiencing an "adrenaline crash" after moving to Canada, followed by two weeks of depression, during which he felt unable to function without adrenaline. This revelation was met with skepticism by some, like Chard, who questioned why this information was not included in his previous public statements.

Despite the controversy, the MasterClass aims to support two charities: Scotty's Little Soldiers, which aids children of British Armed Forces members who have died in service, and Comfort Zone Camp, a U.S. nonprofit providing bereavement camps for grieving children.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams suggested that Harry will likely continue to emphasize his vulnerability regarding his mother's death, noting his emotional presentation on the MasterClass. "We saw the emotional Harry on MasterClass, yet again," Fitzwilliams said.

The course was filmed in California during the summer of 2026, before Harry and Meghan returned to the UK. This release follows the memoir by Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, titled "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister."