Prince Harry has openly shared the emotional and mental struggles he faced upon returning from his military service in Afghanistan, especially as they unearthed the deep-seated trauma from the loss of his mother, Princess Diana, in 1997. His candid revelations come in his new Netflix docuseries, Heart Of Invictus, which chronicles the journey of service members heading to the Paralympic-style competition founded by Harry in 2014.
The Duke of Sussex poignantly mentioned that he lacked a proper “support structure” or expert guidance to navigate his tumultuous feelings after his military duty. He revealed that his time in Afghanistan in 2012, especially piloting Apache helicopters, was a catalyst that brought to the surface pain from his childhood, specifically the tragic passing of his mother when he was merely 12.
Harry emphasized that, like many young individuals, he suppressed his pain and grief. However, the overwhelming emotions caught up with him later, leading him to question the roller-coaster of feelings he was experiencing. He painfully recollected hitting rock bottom, explaining, “The first time most of us even think of therapy is when we find ourselves overwhelmed, potentially in a vulnerable fetal position. I deeply wish I had confronted these emotions sooner.”
In a subtle critique of the royal establishment, Prince Harry stated, “My personal experience, especially after Afghanistan, made me realize there was so much unaddressed pain from my mother’s untimely death. It’s crucial for us to recognize and address our traumas, rather than let them bubble up unexpectedly, which is a change I ardently hope for.”