Prince Harry has been a public figure for decades now and, during that time, the world has watched as he’s experienced both highs and lows. The Duke of Sussex has also been candid about certain aspects of his life, including his marriage to Meghan Markle. Harry’s level of transparency continues to be evident in the aftermath of him, his wife and their kids moving back to the UK. More recently, the British Royal Family member referenced his partying days and how they tied to “grief” involving his late mother, Princess Diana.
The royal recently participated in a wide-ranging interview tied to his MasterClass, Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss. While discussing the topic of parenthood, Harry was asked about breaking parenting cycles, and he acknowledged his intention to do so. From there, he also spoke about the concept of change and discussed instances in which he’d been told by various people that he’d changed over the years:
I think that is probably the same for many parents. If the world around you is changing, then you can’t stay the same. Again, from a British standpoint, what’s really interesting, and maybe this is larger than a British standpoint, but so many people over the years have said, ‘Oh, he’s changed.’ It’s like: ‘So I’m no longer falling out of nightclubs drunk? Is that what you wanted for me?’
During his younger years, Prince Harry was known for his tendency to party with friends, and he made headlines as a result. Some of those memories are even amongst the biggest details in Harry’s memoir, Spare. Of course, as the businessman acknowledged, he has indeed changed over the years but doesn’t see the “drunk” image being a wholly accurate assessment of his former-self. Nevertheless, the Harry & Meghan star did admit to GQ that his partying ways were a method of coping with his mom’s highly publicized death:
No, no, of course not, because the work was the work and the play was the play, and I was quite good at trying to balance the two. But when I was young, was I going out and having a good time with friends? Yes. Was I sometimes doing that to suppress the sadness of losing my mom? Yes. Was I aware of it at the time? Absolutely not.
Princess Diana was killed in a car accident in 1997 – alongside her partner, Dodi Fayed, and their driver, Henri Paul – while trying to evade paparazzi. At that time, Harry was only 12 years old. Even in more recent years, analysts and royal experts continue to discuss Diana’s accident. The late royal and activist also remains a topic of discussion in general for a myriad of reasons. Just recently, her brother, Charles Spencer, wrote a book in which he chronicled his life and memories of Diana, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.
As Prince Harry continues to reflect on his past, questions remain in regard to what the future holds for him, Meghan Markle and their two children, Archie and Lilibet. Many have also wondered whether he’ll reconcile with his father, King Charles and brother, Prince William. Comments shared by the Duke during this recent interview suggest he and his brood are excited for what’s to come. Harry also seems open to mending fences with his family. And, all the while, it seems he’s continuing to hold his mother’s memory close.
