Prince Harry has asserted that he lacked a support network upon his return from serving in Afghanistan, which can be interpreted as another implicit critique of the Royal Family.
The Duke of Sussex shared these sentiments in his newly launched Heart Of Invictus series on Netflix.
The multipart documentary prominently features Prince Harry, occasionally showcasing his wife Meghan Markle in supporting roles throughout various scenes.
In the series, Prince Harry also opened up about the lingering trauma from his mother Princess Diana’s tragic death in August 1997, when he was just 12 years old, a trauma he wasn’t fully conscious of when he returned from his military service in 2008.
Reflecting on his post-war experience, Prince Harry remarked, “The most significant challenge for me was the absence of a supportive environment. I lacked the necessary structure, network, and expert guidance to recognize and address my internal struggles.”
He further shared during the show, “Regrettably, much like many individuals, the thought of seeking therapy only crossed my mind when I found myself at rock bottom, desperately wishing I had confronted these issues earlier. This is what I’m determined to alter.”
In their recent venture as part of their lucrative £80 million agreement with Netflix, Prince Harry introduces himself as a father of two, a dog owner, and a husband.
During an interview, an inquirer asks the Duke of Sussex, “What is your name?” to which he replies, “I’m Harry.” The interviewer then inquires, “What is your occupation, Harry?”
He responds, “My daily roles? I’m a father to two children under the age of three, I have a couple of dogs, I’m a husband, and I serve as the founding patron of the Invictus Games Foundation. There are many hats I wear, but today is dedicated to Invictus.”
The documentary also captures a private moment between Harry and Meghan before their speech at the Salute to Freedom Gala for military veterans in New York in November 2021, where Harry openly expresses his nervousness.
In a candid conversation, Harry admits, “It’s been a while… My heart is racing.” He paces nervously backstage.
Prince Harry also delves into the subject of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the trauma experienced in war zones, providing insights into his personal encounters.
He shares, “My perspective is based solely on my own encounters, but following my tour in Afghanistan in 2012 as an Apache pilot, I began to unravel. The turning point for me was returning from Afghanistan, but the emotions that surfaced traced back to 1997, when I was 12 years old. The trauma from losing my mother at such a young age was buried and unaddressed.”
He continues, “It was a matter not discussed, and I, like many other youngsters, suppressed those emotions. When they eventually erupted, I felt overwhelmed and out of control. The primary challenge was the lack of available assistance around me. I lacked the necessary support system, network, or professional guidance to comprehend my emotional turmoil.”
Prince Harry shares his aspirations, saying, “Regrettably, like numerous others, the notion of seeking therapy only occurs when you find yourself on the floor, in a vulnerable position, wishing you had confronted these matters earlier. This is the transformation I’m eager to foster.”
Furthermore, Prince Harry engages in a dialogue about trauma with Canadian indoor rower Darrell Ling, who appreciates Harry’s empathy and understanding.
Prince Harry responds, “I cannot claim to fully understand your experiences, but I encountered a phase in my life where I was emotionally detached due to the trauma of losing my mother when I was 12. For years, I lacked emotions, unable to shed tears or experience feelings.”
He elaborates, “This unawareness persisted until I was 28, when a certain incident triggered a cascade of emotions that I couldn’t contain. My emotional floodgates burst open, leaving me bewildered and overwhelmed. I had transitioned from emotional numbness to heightened sensitivity. My therapist likened it to placing myself in an open jar, allowing only what I chose to enter while deflecting the rest.”
As an army veteran who completed two tours in Afghanistan (2007-2008 and 2012-2013), Prince Harry also discusses how his perspective on military service changed after becoming a father.
During a hiking discussion with former Invictus competitors JJ Chalmers and David Wiseman, Prince Harry acknowledges, “I always believed that once I became a parent, I could never reconcile military service with my parental responsibilities. Yet both of you managed to do so. It’s not just the individual who enlists, but the entire family.”
