Prince Harry opens up about 'depression' after major life change. One rule he follows for Meghan Markle and their kids to find his happiness

Prince Harry has recently opened up about openly about grief, the death of his mother Princess Diana at age 12, and the emotional struggles he experienced after stepping back from royal duties and moving to Canada. The Duke of Sussex has also shared how he found it difficult to adjust to life after leaving Britain and why spending time with his family has become an important part of his happiness.

Harry discussed these experiences in Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss, a MasterClass released on October 8. In the session, he speaks with neuroscientist and grief expert Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor about loss, trauma and the ways grief can affect both the mind and body.

Prince Harry 'slipped into depression' after moving to Canada

During the conversation, Harry recalled experiencing what he described as an “adrenaline crash” after moving away from the stressful environment he had been living in Britain. According to the BBC, he said the change happened within two or three days of arriving in Canada.


Harry explained that, "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."

The Duke of Sussex revealed that he experienced depression for around two weeks during this period. He described it as an unfamiliar experience and said he felt unable to function without the adrenaline he had grown used to.

Why did Harry and Meghan Markle step back from royal duties?

For the unversed, Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, relocated to Canada with their son, Prince Archie, in 2019. In January 2020, the couple announced their decision to step back from their roles as senior working members of the British Royal Family. The decision, widely referred to as “Megxit”, was a significant change in their personal and professional lives.



As reported by the BBC, Harry said he initially wanted to leave Britain to gain some space and time to think. His account of experiencing depression after arriving in Canada provides further insight into how he personally dealt with the transition.

The MasterClass discussion centres on grief and resilience, with Harry sharing his own experiences rather than presenting them as a universal explanation for how people respond to loss.

Prince Harry's 10-day rule for Meghan Markle and their children

Going forward, in the conversation, Harry also spoke about the role his family plays in helping him balance his professional responsibilities with his personal life. He said spending time with Meghan and their children brings him joy, while his work gives him a sense of purpose.



He said, "The biggest factor for me is the energy and the joy and happiness that I get being with my family, especially our kids, and the joy and happiness I get by being on the ground for my work,”

“To keep that balance he has to make sure he doesn’t spend more than 10 days away from his wife and kids,” says Harry. He described this as a crucial aspect of managing his various responsibilities, which include being a father, a husband, and someone dedicated to his work.

For Harry, achieving balance involves more than just allocating time between work and home.