In a heartbreaking interview given during the filming of ITV documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, Prince Harry told anchor Tom Bradby that every new camera flash he sees reminds him of his late, beloved mother, Princess Diana. "Being part of this family, in this role, in this job, every single time I see a camera, every single time I hear a click, every single time I see a flash, it takes me straight back. So in that respect, it's the worst reminder of her life, as opposed to the best."
The visible emotional Harry added: "Being here now, 22 years later, trying to finish what she started, will be incredibly emotional. But everything I do reminds me of her."
Harry: “With the role, with the job, and the sort of pressures that come with that I get reminded of the bad stuff, unfortunately.”pic.twitter.com/whBHcNE9OwOctober 17, 2019
Diana, a famously hands-on and affectionate mother to sons William and Harry, was hounded by the press throughout her life. Her death in 1997 occurred when the car she was traveling in crashed into the side of a Paris tunnel in an effort to escape a horde of photographers. Harry has made clear he at least partially attributes her death to the press spotlight that dominated her life: "I’ve seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person. I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces," he wrote in a powerful open letter announcing his decision to take legal action against members of the Britain press corps.
Prince Harry has said that his trip to Africa, and indeed much of the causes he commits his life to, is in tribute to his late mother, and is part of his effort to continue the work Diana did. The prince has also incorporated Diana's memory into his life with Meghan; Meghan's engagement ring includes diamonds from Diana's personal collection, and she often wears Diana's jewelry for important occasions. In the couple's engagement interview, Meghan noted: "Not being able to meet his mom, it's so important to me to know that she's a part of this with us."
In his interview with Tom Bradby, Harry answered with candor when asked whether he feels at peace with his mom's passing, or whether it is "a wound that festers." Harry responded: "I think, probably, a wound that festers."
Harry has been equally frank about the mental health difficulties he faced in the years after his mother's death. “I can safely say that losing my mum at the age of 12, and therefore shutting down all of my emotions for the last 20 years, has had a quite serious effect on not only my personal life but my work as well," he said in a 2017 interview.
He added that he'd tried desperately to cope by not thinking about his mom or talking about her: "My way of dealing with it was sticking my head in the sand, refusing to ever think about my mum, because why would that help?” Harry told Gordon. “[I thought] it’s only going to make you sad, it’s not going to bring her back." Last year, in a separate interview, he noted: "I really regret not ever talking about it."
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORIES
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Jenny is the Digital Director at Marie Claire. Originally from London, she moved to New York in 2012 to attend the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and never left. Prior to Marie Claire, she spent five years at Bustle building out its news and politics coverage. She loves, in order: her dog, goldfish crackers, and arguing about why umbrellas are fundamentally useless. Her first novel, EVERYONE WHO CAN FORGIVE ME IS DEAD, will be published by Minotaur Books on February 6, 2024.
-
Everything I’m Packing for a Weekend in LA
From a cozy pair of sweatpants to a chic jumpsuit.
By Nikki Ogunnaike Published
-
Princess Diana’s Brother Earl Charles Spencer Speaks Out on the Kate Middleton Drama: “I Do Worry About What Happened to the Truth”
He also weighed in on whether the media frenzy was worse in the 1990s with Diana or in the present day with Kate.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Both Kim Kardashian and Blake Lively Appeared to Spoof the Kate Middleton Photoshop Scandal Over the Weekend
Yep, they went there.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
British Royal Lady Gabriella Windsor's Husband Has Died at 45
Lady Gabriella is King Charles' second cousin.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
George, Charlotte and Louis Will Be Laden With Gifts as Prince William Returns From New York
He was handed so many souvenirs for the little ones.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Makes Sure to "Treat George and Charlotte as Equals," Body Language Expert Says
I should hope so!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Isn't "A Workaholic Like His Father," Royal Expert Claims
He's got more of a work-life balance.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Princess Kate's New "Signature" Gesture? The Stealthy "Bum Pat" to Prince William
Love this for her.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry Says His "Spirit Is Renewed" as He Attends the Warrior Games for Wounded Service Members in San Diego
The Games inspired his Invictus concept.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Not Expected to Invite Prince Harry to His Coronation, Friend Claims
That doesn't sound good.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
We Finally Know Where the Earthshot Prize 2023 Will Take Place
Let's go!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published