Prince Harry has opened up about the difficult period he experienced after stepping away from royal life, admitting that he struggled with depression and felt he had lost his sense of purpose.
During a candid conversation, Harry reflected on what happened after he and Meghan Markle left their roles as senior working royals. He said the change brought an unexpected emotional crash after years of living with constant pressure and responsibility.
Harry described himself as becoming “useless” during that period, explaining that he had been used to having a clear purpose and a demanding schedule. Once that structure disappeared, he struggled to adjust to his new life.
He also spoke about the grief he has carried since losing his mother, Princess Diana, when he was 12 years old.
Harry has previously discussed how her death continued to affect him decades later, and he connected that grief to some of the struggles he experienced as an adult.
The Duke of Sussex also discussed the importance of having boundaries around his family life. He described a personal “10-day rule” involving time away from his children and spoke about how difficult it can be to balance work, family and his responsibilities.
Harry and Meghan stepped down from their senior royal roles in 2020 and later moved to the United States, where they have continued raising their two children while pursuing independent projects.
In his latest comments, Harry appeared to reflect openly on the emotional cost of that transition and how long it took him to find a renewed sense of direction.
His comments offer a rare glimpse into what he says was happening privately during one of the biggest changes of his life.