Throughout his life, Prince Harry has often been in the spotlight; he has gone through peaks and valleys and endured personal battles, just like anyone else. Today we delve into a more profound aspect of Prince Harry’s life, his journey through grief and bereavement, and the steps he has taken to handle his emotional wellbeing.
In 1997, Prince Harry suffered a devastating blow at a young age of 12 when his mother, Princess Diana, died in a car crash. This event marked the genesis of a long-standing grief and induced mental health struggles that would accompany him into adulthood. The loss was not only personal but was broadcasted worldwide, adding an unbearably public aspect to his private agony.
Harry’s initial coping mechanism was repression. He openly admitted in various interviews that he had spent nearly twenty years not thinking about his mother’s death, a classic example of avoiding grief rather than dealing with it immediately. He resorted to total silence about his bereavement, which he admits almost led to complete breakdown on numerous occasions.
Lack of emotional expression about his grief led Prince Harry to a life riddled with anger and anxiety. His adolescent and early adulthood years were characterized by rebellious acts and scandals, seemingly a result of the pent-up emotions he had long kept in his heart. Whether fighting photographers outside nightclubs, his controversial fancy dress choices, or his tour duty in Afghanistan, the Prince was on a self-destructive path.
While on military service, Harry’s suppressed feelings came to the surface. Witnessing many comrades grappling with their grief after losing friends on the battlefield made Harry realize he wasn’t alone. His anguish over his mother’s death remained a major unresolved aspect of his life, and he acknowledged that he needed help.
In opening up about his struggles, Prince Harry has provided invaluable insight into the importance of addressing mental health issues and the impact of unresolved grief. It took him two years of total chaos before he sought help, though through his experiences, he has dedicated himself to helping others facing similar trials.
In 2017, Prince Harry along with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge initiated the mental health campaign named Heads Together, aiming to end the stigma around mental health. This initiative was designed to encourage those suffering in silence to speak up and seek help, mirroring Harry’s journey in confronting his grief.
The openness of Prince Harry regarding his bereavement has presented the public with a more human face of the royals. He has revealed that even members of the royal family are not immune to mental health struggles and trauma, thereby normalizing these hardships. And through his activism, Harry is sending out a clear message; it’s okay not to be okay, and seeking help is not a weakness but a strength.
Acknowledgement, acceptance, and action have been key elements of Prince Harry’s journey through grief and bereavement. By facing his mental health struggles, he has helped destigmatize trauma and grief, providing hope for many grappling with comparable battles. His openness about grief and bereavement is a beacon of rawness, strength, and resilience that encourages others living under the shadow of unprocessed grief to seek help, understand their feelings, and ultimately heal.
