Prince Harry Becomes Emotional Discussing Children's Peace, Ongoing Royal Estrangement
The Duke of Sussex shared his feelings about fatherhood and his relationship with his brother, Prince William, in a MasterClass interview.
Prince Harry has expressed deep emotion when viewing a photograph of his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, appearing "at peace with each other." This sentiment comes amidst his ongoing estrangement from his brother, Prince William.
In an interview with neuroscientist Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor for the American education platform MasterClass, the Duke of Sussex, 41, became visibly moved by an image of his son and daughter. The photograph, shared by his wife Meghan Markle on Instagram in May to celebrate Archie's seventh birthday, depicted the siblings walking barefoot on a beach.
Harry, who has not spoken to Prince William since Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022, described the moment he took the snap. "Watching the two of them, brother and sister, at peace with each other in nature fills my heart," he said. He added that he is "super happy" that Archie and Lilibet are "healthy, beautiful, amusing [and] very funny kids."
The prince characterized fatherhood as an "emotional rollercoaster" and acknowledged he wished he had known how challenging it would be, but stated he wouldn't change it for the world. The advice he would give his younger self about parenting is to "hold on tight, because it's going to be one hell of a ride."
During the MasterClass session, titled "Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss," Harry also spoke about his struggles after leaving royal life, or "Megxit." He revealed feeling depressed and "useless" in the immediate aftermath and now adheres to a strict "ten-day rule," meaning he does not spend more than ten days away from his wife and children to maintain his well-being.
He claimed that his royal duties prevented him from properly grieving the death of his mother, Princess Diana, and that official engagements often triggered panic attacks. Harry described the feeling of wearing a shirt and tie for royal events as being "strangled or suffocated."
"You would think I had the best help in the world. I'm a prince, for God's sake, but I was still grieving and didn't have any place to put those feelings," he stated, referencing emotions he carried for "15 or 20 years."
Following their departure from royal life and move to Canada in 2020, Harry said he "slipped into depression" for about two weeks. "We moved to Canada to get some space away from everything and simply think," he recalled. "Within two or three days of leaving that stressful environment, I experienced an adrenaline crash unlike anything I'd ever felt before. It was as though I needed stress for my brain to function. I became useless around the house. I slipped into depression for about two weeks and felt like I couldn't function without adrenaline."
Earlier in his journey as a father, Harry admitted to feeling a "disconnection" toward Archie while Meghan was pregnant, as his wife was the one experiencing the physical changes of pregnancy. He shared advice he received from his therapist to be aware of his feelings after the baby is born.
Meghan Markle recently shared a video of Archie and Lilibet riding scooters through a country estate, accompanied by their dog, Pula. The footage was posted on Instagram as Markle was unveiled as the new face of a Los Angeles charity supporting single mothers, Moms Offering More (MOM). She partnered with the organization on a limited-edition sweatshirt, with net profits from her "As Ever" teas and jams also being donated to the Malala Fund for International Day of the Girl.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to make their first joint appearance in the UK as "private citizens" soon, participating in a series of unofficial engagements in the East Midlands, including visits to community food projects and a charity offering sports mentoring for children.
Despite their increased activity in the UK, the couple has not yet met with King Charles and remains estranged from Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales. Sources suggest the Sussexes are planning their own Christmas arrangements, anticipating they will not be invited to join the Royal Family at Sandringham, and are instead planning to spend the festive period with Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland.