Prince Harry has revealed that he experienced depression for about two weeks after moving to Canada with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their son Archie in late 2019.
The Duke of Sussex shared the experience in a new MasterClass conversation titled Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss, released on October 8, 2026. He spoke with neuroscientist Dr Mary-Frances O’Connor about grief, emotional health and the lasting effects of losing his mother, Princess Diana.
Harry said he and his family moved to Canada to get some space away from the pressure he had experienced in the UK. However, he described an unexpected change in how he felt after leaving that environment.
“ I actually slipped into depression for about two weeks,” Harry said, explaining that he felt unable to function without the adrenaline he had become used to.
He described the experience as an “adrenaline crash” that began within days of arriving in Canada. He said he had relied on stress to help him function and struggled when that pressure was no longer present.
During the conversation, Harry also reflected on the death of his mother, Princess Diana, who died in a car crash in Paris in 1997 when he was 12 years old.
He said he had spent years feeling emotionally numb and had struggled with the idea that feeling happy could mean he was forgetting or betraying his mother. He also discussed how his experiences in the military brought difficult feelings to the surface.
Harry and Meghan moved to Canada with Archie in 2019 before announcing in January 2020 that they would step back from their roles as senior working royals. The family later moved to California.
In 2026, Harry and Meghan returned to the UK with their children, Archie and Princess Lilibet, after several years in the United States.
Through the MasterClass conversation, Harry has shared more about how grief and prolonged stress affected his life. His account also highlights his personal journey towards understanding his emotions and seeking support.
