Prince Harry has revealed that he “slipped into depression” for about two weeks after moving to Canada with Meghan Markle and their son, Archie, in late 2019. In his new MasterClass, Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss, the Duke of Sussex recalled experiencing an “adrenaline crash” after leaving what he described as a stressful environment. He also reflected on how years of grief following his mother, Princess Diana’s, death affected him.
Prince Harry says moving to Canada triggered an unexpected adrenaline crash
Prince Harry recalled experiencing an “adrenaline crash” within two or three days of arriving in Canada in late 2019. He described his previous surroundings as a stressful environment and suggested that his body had become accustomed to functioning under sustained pressure, according to PEOPLE.
Harry said the experience began within days of his arrival in Canada and was unlike anything he had experienced before. He said: “It was as if I needed stress in order to get the adrenaline to make my brain function because I became useless around the house. I actually slipped into depression for about two weeks and I felt like I couldn’t function without adrenaline.”
Notably, the Sussexes welcomed their firstborn, Archie, in May 2019 and spent the tail end of 2019 in Canada with their son. Shortly after, in January 2020, Harry and Meghan announced their decision to step down as working royals and moved to Montecito, California.
The Duke of Sussex emphasized that moving away from the royal family allowed him the space to just be able to think. Additionally, the younger prince candidly discussed the profound grief of losing his mother, Princess Diana, at a really young age. This was released on World Mental Health Day on October 10. Harry also reflected on joining the military at age 20, describing it as the “perfect distraction” from his grief. He explained that adrenaline had driven him toward military service after years of emotional numbness.
