Prince Harry reveals how Diana's death made him want to quit royal life: 'It killed my mum'

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Prince Harry revisited one of the most defining chapters of his life during a public appearance in Australia on Thursday, April 16, speaking candidly about how the death of his mother, Princess Diana, shaped his relationship with royal duty.

In a deeply personal reflection, Harry revealed that he once rejected the path laid out for him, linking that resistance directly to the circumstances surrounding his mother’s death.

Harry admitted to feeling "lost, betrayed and powerless" after his mother's death.

Prince Harry recalls rejecting royal role after Diana's death

Speaking at an event in Melbourne, Harry did not soften his words while recalling his early reaction to life within the royal institution after losing his mother.

“I was like, ‘I don’t want this job. I don’t want this role, wherever this is headed, I don’t like it,’” he said, describing how he felt in the years following Diana’s death.

He then made the connection explicit, saying, “It killed my mum.”

Harry explained that the loss came at a particularly formative age, saying his mother “died just before my 13th birthday,” leaving him to process grief while growing up under constant attention.

Reflecting on that period, he acknowledged the emotional toll it took.

“There have been many times when I’ve felt overwhelmed, times when I’ve felt lost, betrayed or completely powerless,” he said, adding that he often felt pressure to carry on as though everything was normal.

“For many years, I was numb to it,” Harry admitted, explaining that he didn’t yet have the tools to deal with grief. 

He also emphasized a truth about loss, adding, “Grief does not disappear because we ignore it.”

Despite that early rejection of royal life, Harry said his thinking eventually evolved.

He described a turning point where he began to reconsider what his position could be used for.

“I realized, well, hang on, if there was somebody else in this position, how would they be making the most of this platform to make a difference in the world?” he said.

He added that thinking about his mother’s expectations played a role in that shift.

“And also, what would my mum want me to do? And that really changed my own perspective,” he said.

Prince Harry opens up on mental health

The remarks came during a set of engagements in Australia alongside Meghan Markle, where the couple focused heavily on mental health and well-being.

Harry used his platform to highlight how common feelings like anxiety, stress, and helplessness have become, even if people’s circumstances differ.

“While my experiences may be unusual, the feelings that come with them are not,” he said.

He also spoke about how becoming a husband and father influenced his outlook, encouraging openness around emotional struggles.

“Asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s very much a form of strength,” he noted.