Prince Harry reveals two-week depression after stepping back from royal family

Prince Harry revealed that he suffered a two-week depression and experienced an unprecedented emotional collapse after stepping back from the British royal family in 2020. Speaking in an interview published on October 8, 2026, Harry detailed the psychological toll of the move known as Megxit during a conversation with neuroscientist Mary-Frances O’Connor for the Masterclass educational platform, as reported by Tribuna del Yaqui.

Adrenaline Drop and Psychological Fallout in Canada

Harry explained that the exit from royal duties triggered a sudden drop in adrenaline after years of living under intense pressure. According to reporting by Tribuna del Yaqui, Harry and his family moved to Canada at the end of 2019 to take distance from the stress. Within two or three days of leaving that environment, he suffered a severe adrenaline crash that left him feeling unable to function normally at home or handle daily tasks, leading to a two-week depressive episode.

Harry acknowledged suffering panic attacks while carrying out public obligations, describing how buttoning a dress shirt made him feel as though he was suffocating on car rides to work while he continued to tell people he was fine.

Childhood Grief and Decades of Emotional Numbness

The conversation also addressed the long-term emotional impact of the 1997 death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, when Harry was 12 years old. The prince stated he did not cry when told his mother had died, shedding tears only at her funeral and then remaining emotionally numb for nearly two decades. He believed staying sad or closed off was a way to prove how much he missed her, admitting that he grew up without a guide on how to process the loss.

During therapy sessions, a specialist suggested using Diana’s Dior perfume to reconnect with his memories after he had forgotten the sound of her voice and laughter. Harry described the sensory trigger as a breakthrough that unlocked buried emotions and allowed him to reconcile with his past without feeling guilty about finding happiness, according to Tribuna del Yaqui.

Military Service Triggered Traumas and Harry Limits Time Away from Family

Harry viewed joining the military at age 20 and serving in Afghanistan as a distraction that kept him from confronting his grief, though the experience ultimately acted as a catalyst for other stored traumas. Tribuna del Yaqui noted the service awakened prior traumas, while the experience was also described as a functional distraction during his years of emotional shutdown.

To maintain stability, the prince currently enforces a personal rule regarding his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children. As detailed by Tribuna del Yaqui, Harry strives not to spend more than 10 days away from his family to balance his work with his role as a father.

Harry Returns to UK to Be Closer to King Charles III

The prince has recently begun a new chapter in the United Kingdom following six years of residing in Montecito, California, with his base remaining in California where Lilibet was born in 2021. According to recent reports, the Sussexes have returned to the UK with Harry desiring to be closer to his father, King Charles III. The video conversation was published to mark World Mental Health Day, addressing the internal collapse he experienced after stepping away from the front line of the British royal family and saying goodbye to the UK. Public reaction on social media divided evenly between applause for speaking candidly about mental health and suspicion regarding ongoing media appearances.