Prince Harry made a rare public appearance to speak about his journey of grief and healing following the death of his mother, Princess Diana. The Duke of Sussex sat down with Nikki Scott, founder of the Armed Forces charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers, to reflect on the emotional aftermath of the tragedy.
Princess Diana passed away in a tragic car crash in Paris, France, in 1998, when Harry and his older brother, Prince William, were just 12 and 15 years old, respectively. Harry struggled to contain his emotions as he opened up about the profound impact of losing his mother at such a young age.
“You convince yourself that the person you’ve lost wants you, or you need to be sad for as long as possible to prove to them that they are missed. But then there’s this realization of, no, they must want me to be happy,” Harry shared with Nikki Scott, who lost her own husband during the Afghanistan war.
The author of "Spare" has been candid about his struggles with mental health following his mother's death and the lack of support he felt from his family. In a new video, Harry urged bereaved children to talk about their feelings to prevent the grief from overwhelming them.
Reflecting on his own experience, Harry addressed the common mindset among bereaved children of avoiding discussions about their loss because it brings sadness. He emphasized that talking about a loved one can celebrate their life and make coping easier. “If you suppress this for too long, you can’t suppress it forever; it’s not sustainable and it will eat away at you inside,” he advised.
Harry's heartfelt message highlighted the importance of open communication and seeking support in the face of loss, offering solace and guidance to those navigating similar journeys of grief.
