Prince Harry Reveals He ‘Slipped Into Depression’ After Moving to Canada With Meghan

Prince Harry has opened up about a difficult period in his life, revealing that he experienced what he described as a two-week period of depression shortly after moving to Canada with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their young son, Prince Archie, in late 2019.

The Duke of Sussex made the personal revelation in a new MasterClass titled “Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss,” where he discussed grief, stress, trauma and the emotional impact of losing his mother, Princess Diana.

Harry said the move to Canada was intended to give the family some space away from the intense pressure surrounding their lives in the United Kingdom. But after arriving, he said he experienced an unexpected emotional and physical crash.

Harry Describes an “Adrenaline Crash”

According to Harry, the first few days in Canada were unexpectedly difficult.

He explained that he had spent years living in an environment where stress and pressure kept him functioning at a high level. Once that pressure was removed, he said his body reacted differently.

Harry described experiencing what he called an “adrenaline crash” within two or three days of arriving in Canada.

He said he felt as though he needed stress and adrenaline simply to function normally.

The Duke recalled that he became largely unable to function around the house and eventually experienced what he described as depression lasting approximately two weeks.

The revelation provides a different perspective on the period when Harry and Meghan were beginning their transition away from life as senior working members of the British royal family.

Why Harry and Meghan Moved to Canada

Harry and Meghan moved to Canada with their son Archie toward the end of 2019.

At the time, the couple was under intense media attention and facing growing pressure surrounding their role within the royal family.

Harry explained that the purpose of going to Canada was partly to create distance from the stressful environment they had been experiencing.

The couple subsequently announced in January 2020 that they intended to step back from their roles as senior working royals.

Their decision became one of the most significant developments involving the British monarchy in recent years.

After spending time in Canada, Harry and Meghan eventually relocated to California, where they established their lives outside the formal structure of the royal family.

Harry Connects His Experience to Long-Term Grief

During the MasterClass, Harry also reflected on the death of his mother, Princess Diana.

Diana died in a Paris car crash in 1997 when Harry was only 12 years old.

Harry has spoken publicly about the impact of his mother's death many times, but in the new MasterClass he explored how grief may have influenced his behavior and emotional responses for years.

He said that for a long period after Diana's death, he responded to questions about his wellbeing by saying he was fine.

Looking back, Harry described that period as one of emotional numbness and shutdown.

He suggested that adrenaline, work and constant activity helped him avoid confronting some of the emotions associated with his grief.

Military Service and Emotional Trauma

Harry also discussed his military career and how it affected his mental health.

He served in the British Army for about a decade and completed two tours in Afghanistan.

In the MasterClass, he explained that he had initially viewed his military service as an effective distraction. The intense focus required by military life gave him something on which to concentrate.

However, Harry said that some experiences connected to his military service appeared to trigger unresolved trauma from earlier in his life.

He also recalled experiencing panic attacks after returning from Afghanistan and described moments when everyday situations could produce intense physical reactions.

The discussion allowed Harry to connect several different periods of his life—from losing his mother to military service and eventually leaving royal duties.

A Different Understanding of Grief

The MasterClass was created with neuroscientist Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor, a researcher specializing in grief.

Rather than focusing only on the emotional side of losing someone, the class explores how grief can affect the brain and body.

Harry's own experiences form an important part of the discussion.

He explained that understanding grief required him to reconsider some of the ways he had responded to painful experiences throughout his life.

One of the most significant changes, he said, was learning that moving forward and experiencing happiness did not mean he was betraying his mother's memory.

Instead, Harry said he eventually came to believe that Diana would have wanted him to be happy.

The Role of Family in Harry’s Life

Harry also spoke about the importance of his immediate family.

He and Meghan welcomed Archie in May 2019, shortly before their move to Canada.

They later welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet, in 2021.

In the new MasterClass, Harry described his family as an important source of happiness and stability.

He also discussed maintaining a balance between his professional responsibilities and spending time with Meghan and their children.

Recent reports have also highlighted Harry's personal rule of trying not to spend more than 10 days away from his wife and children.

Why Harry’s Revelation Matters

Harry's comments are significant because they provide a personal account of what happened after one of the biggest changes in his public life.

The move to Canada was widely viewed at the time as a fresh start for the Sussexes.

But Harry's latest comments suggest that changing his surroundings did not immediately resolve the emotional difficulties he had carried for years.

Instead, stepping away from constant pressure gave him an opportunity to recognize problems that may have been hidden by a fast-paced lifestyle.

His experience also highlights the complicated relationship between stress, grief and major life changes.

A New Chapter in Harry’s Story

The MasterClass comes years after Harry and Meghan first stepped away from their royal duties.

Since then, the couple has built a new life outside the traditional royal system while continuing to work on charitable and public-interest projects.

Harry has remained particularly involved in causes related to veterans, mental health and bereavement.

The new class continues that focus by using his personal experiences to discuss grief and resilience.

The MasterClass was released ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10 and supports bereavement organizations including Comfort Zone Camp and Scotty's Little Soldiers.

Looking Back at the Canada Years

Prince Harry's latest comments offer a more personal explanation of the emotional challenges he experienced during the family's brief time in Canada.

What was intended as a period of distance and reflection became, according to Harry, a moment when he realized how heavily stress and unresolved grief had influenced his life.

His account does not change the complicated history surrounding his departure from royal duties, but it adds another dimension to the story.

For Harry, moving away from the pressure of royal life did not immediately bring peace. Instead, it exposed emotions that he said he had spent years avoiding.

Today, he says he has gained a greater understanding of grief, family and emotional resilience.

His story also serves as a reminder that major life changes can affect people in unexpected ways—and that acknowledging emotional struggles can be an important part of moving forward.