Prince Harry Details Depression Post-Megxit, '10-Day Rule' for Family Time

Prince Harry has revealed that he experienced depression and felt "useless" in the immediate aftermath of stepping back from royal duties, a period he refers to as "Megxit." In a candid interview, the Duke of Sussex stated that his official duties within the Royal Family hindered his ability to process the grief of his mother Princess Diana's death, often triggering panic attacks. He described the experience of dressing for royal engagements as feeling "strangled."

Harry shared that the inability to properly grieve led to him carrying unresolved emotions for approximately 15 to 20 years. He found therapy to be beneficial, recounting an instance where he sprayed himself with his mother's perfume, which he said unlocked suppressed memories and emotions. Following his and Meghan's decision to leave royal life and relocate to Canada, Harry reported experiencing an "adrenaline crash" within days of leaving the stressful environment, leading to a period of depression. "I became useless around the house. I slipped into depression for about two weeks and felt like I couldn't function without adrenaline," he said.

He has established a "ten-day rule" as a key factor in maintaining his happiness, stipulating that he should not spend more than 10 days away from his wife and children. Harry emphasized the importance of balancing his work and sense of purpose with his role as a husband and father.

Reflecting on his mother's death at age 12, Harry disclosed that he did not cry until her burial and then not again for nearly two decades, believing this emotional suppression was a sign of strength rather than a lack of coping mechanisms. He recalled forgetting the sound of his mother's voice and laugh, a detail that a therapist encouraged him to address by finding her favorite perfume. He described the scent as unlocking repressed memories and emotions, likening it to "knocking bricks out of a wall."

Harry suggested that his mother would want him to be happy, a realization that significantly shifted his perspective. He also noted that joining the Army provided him with a sense of purpose, serving as a "perfect distraction" for nearly two decades of emotional numbness. He admitted to withdrawing from social life during this period, preferring to stay home.

He recounted initial difficulties in finding effective mental health support, with some general practitioners being ill-equipped to assist him. Harry expressed opposition to medication, stating that while he followed advice, it did not lead to improvement, prompting his continued search for effective treatment. His deployment to Afghanistan proved to be a life-changing experience, where the things he witnessed appeared to trigger pre-existing traumas.

Therapy, Harry stated, eventually provided him with "permission to grieve." He found opening up to a therapist to be a crucial step in his healing process. He also voiced support for psychedelic-assisted therapy, which he believes helps break down emotional barriers and allows for deeper self-exploration.

Meanwhile, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, recently made a public appearance in London, attending afternoon tea with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai at Claridge's. This marked her first public appearance in the capital since Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022. The pair, who previously collaborated on a virtual discussion about girls' education in 2020, were photographed leaving the hotel together. The meeting occurred amidst the ongoing legal challenges Harry and Meghan face regarding taxpayer-funded police protection in the UK.