Prince Harry has opened up about a difficult period in his life, revealing that he slipped into depression after moving to Canada with Meghan Markle and their son, Archie.
The Duke of Sussex discussed his mental health in MasterClass’ new class, “Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss.” The class features Harry alongside neuroscientist Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor and explores grief, loss, and the process of rebuilding emotional resilience. MasterClass currently lists the class among its health and wellness offerings.
Harry said the move to Canada was partly about creating distance from an intensely stressful environment. However, stepping away from that pressure brought an unexpected emotional reaction.
Prince Harry Describes an “Adrenaline Crash.”
According to Harry, the change in environment affected him within days.
He explained that he had become accustomed to operating under constant stress. Once that pressure disappeared, he experienced what he described as an “adrenaline crash.”
Harry said he felt unable to function normally around the house. He also recalled feeling as though he needed stress and adrenaline to keep his mind working effectively.
The experience eventually led him to what he described as roughly two weeks of depression.
His account offers a personal look at how a major life transition can expose emotions that have previously been pushed aside.
Harry Connected His Struggles to Longstanding Grief
Harry’s discussion went beyond his move to Canada.
He also reflected on the death of his mother, Princess Diana, who died in 1997 when Harry was 12 years old.
In the MasterClass, Harry discussed how experiences from his military career appeared to trigger unresolved trauma connected to earlier experiences.
Recent reporting on the class notes that Harry described emotional numbness, panic attacks, and depression while discussing the long-term effects of grief.
Harry has previously spoken publicly about his mental health and therapy. This latest conversation, however, places particular emphasis on the relationship between grief, the body, and emotional responses.
Why Adrenaline Became Important to Harry
Harry explained that adrenaline had sometimes helped him push through difficult situations.
For him, intense pressure could create a sense of urgency that kept him moving. As a result, he became concerned about what might happen if he healed from the experiences behind that response.
He questioned whether losing that constant state of alertness would also mean losing part of his connection to his mother.
That realization became an important part of his understanding of grief.
Prince Harry Says His View of Princess Diana Changed
One of the most personal parts of Harry’s reflection involved his feelings about moving forward after Diana’s death.
He described feeling guilty about experiencing happiness without his mother. For a long time, he associated sadness and emotional numbness with proving how much he still missed her.
Eventually, however, his perspective changed.
Harry said he came to believe that his mother would want him to be happy. That realization helped him see that healing did not mean forgetting Diana or becoming less connected to her memory.
Instead, he began viewing happiness as something that could coexist with grief.
Harry Says He Now Recognizes His Stress Responses
Harry also described how his understanding of his own reactions has developed.
He said he is now better able to recognize when his body is experiencing an adrenaline surge. More importantly, he has learned that not every situation requires that level of heightened response.
That kind of self-awareness is also consistent with the broader theme of the MasterClass, which focuses on understanding grief and developing resilience after loss.
MasterClass’s broader health and wellness material similarly emphasizes self-awareness, healthy coping strategies, and seeking support when dealing with difficult experiences.
Prince Harry’s Mental Health Journey Continues
Harry’s latest comments add another chapter to his long-running discussion about mental health.
Rather than presenting grief as something that simply disappears, his comments describe it as an experience that can change over time. His story also highlights how unresolved emotions can surface during major transitions.
His conversation with Dr. O’Connor is part of a wider effort to discuss grief and resilience publicly. The MasterClass was released ahead of World Mental Health Day and also supports bereavement-focused charities, according to recent reporting.
For Harry, the message appears to be less about eliminating difficult emotions and more about recognizing them, understanding their roots, and learning how to respond differently.