Prince Harry has spoken candidly about a difficult period after he, Meghan Markle and their son Archie moved to Canada at the end of 2019. According to The Mirror, the Duke of Sussex said the change brought an abrupt crash after years of operating under pressure. Speaking in a MasterClass conversation with neuroscientist Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor ahead of World Mental Health Day, Harry described how stepping away from a stressful environment left him unable to cope in ordinary daily life. The comments add another personal chapter to his long-running discussion of grief, trauma and recovery.
Prince Harry Says Canada Move Led to Adrenaline Crash
Harry said the shift away from royal life hit him almost immediately. “Being in Canada, away from the stressful environment where presumably my body was just pumped full of adrenaline, within two or three days, I experienced this adrenaline crash, something that I’d never experienced before,” he said according to The Mirror. He added that he became “useless around the house” and said he “slipped into depression” for about two weeks. The duke linked that period to a life that had been driven by constant stress, saying he felt unable to function without that surge.
Duke of Sussex Describes Panic During Royal Duties
The 42-year-old also spoke about the strain he felt while carrying out public duties in Britain. He said even getting dressed for engagements could trigger panic, with the tightening of a shirt collar making him feel as if he was suffocating. Harry recalled panic attacks in the car on the way to work and said those moments made clear that a deeper issue needed attention. As reported by Page Six, he also described his biggest anxiety as the fear of sweating in public and looking visibly overwhelmed without being able to explain why.
Harry Links His Struggles to Diana’s Death
The prince also returned to the loss of his mother, Princess Diana, who died when he was 12. He said he spent years emotionally numb and believed sadness was a way to prove his loyalty to her memory. Harry explained that he did not cry when he was first told she had died, and then did not cry again for nearly two decades after her burial. He has also said that he forgot the sound of her voice and laugh for a time, and later used her perfume to help unlock memories he feared had faded.
Meghan, Archie and Lilibet Shape Harry’s 10-Day Rule
Family life now plays a central role in how Harry manages work and wellbeing. He said the biggest source of energy and happiness comes from being with Meghan and their children, Archie and Lilibet, while also staying grounded in his charitable work. Harry shared a clear rule for keeping that balance: no more than 10 days away from his wife and children. The couple first settled in Canada, later moved to California, and are now back in the UK as private citizens, with Harry saying recently that it is great to be back on British soil.
