Prince Harry has spoken publicly about experiencing a period of depression after he and Meghan Markle left the United Kingdom in late 2019. The Duke of Sussex described a challenging adjustment period following the couple’s move to Canada, occurring just weeks before they formally stepped back from their roles as senior members of the British royal family.

In a recorded conversation with neuroscientist Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor for an online MasterClass series on grief and resilience, Harry revealed that within days of relocating, he endured what he called an “adrenaline crash.” He said the stressful environment in the UK had previously kept his adrenaline levels high, and without it, he felt unable to function normally, describing himself as “useless around the house.” He added, “I actually slipped into depression for about two weeks.”

During the discussion, filmed in California prior to the couple’s return to the UK earlier this year, Harry also reflected on the ongoing impact of his mother Princess Diana’s death. Diana died in a car crash in Paris when Harry was 12 years old. He explained that for many years he felt compelled to suppress his grief and maintain a sense of sadness to prove his love and missing of her. “Nobody told me joy was still allowed. That it wasn’t a betrayal,” he said. Harry spoke about reaching a turning point by using his late mother's perfume to help recover memories, including her laugh and voice, which he had begun to forget.

He described his childhood grief as complex and unresolved despite his royal status, noting a lack of support at the time. “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,” Harry said. He also related his attempt to outrun his feelings by serving in the military, which he found ultimately ineffective in coping with his unresolved emotions.

Since stepping back from official duties, the Sussexes initially settled on Vancouver Island, Canada, before moving to the United States early in 2020. The couple returned to live in the UK with their children, Prince Archie, aged seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, earlier this year. Harry mentioned a personal practice of maintaining close proximity to his wife and children, never being apart from them for more than ten days.

Alongside the release of this conversation, Meghan Markle was seen publicly at a London event with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, with whom she has previously collaborated remotely on issues surrounding girls’ education.

Prince Harry’s MasterClass series on grief aims to provide insights on navigating loss and building emotional resilience. The paid online course outlines steps from his personal journey, intending to help others find healing and purpose following tragedy.