Prince Harry has spoken about how he continues to cope with the loss of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, and the traditions he follows to remember her.
The Duke of Sussex shared his experiences while speaking with bereaved children during the final public appearance of his UK visit.
Harry attended a summer festival in Warwickshire organised by Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity that supports children and young people who have lost a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, when Harry was just 12 years old.
After joining a goat yoga session at the festival, the duke took part in a question-and-answer session with several children.
Nine-year-old Poppy, whose father, Able Seaman Daniel Turnbull, died from leukaemia in 2020, asked Harry what makes him laugh after a difficult day.
“Sometimes it’s just a difficult day,” Harry replied, placing a hand on his heart. “It’s not always possible to laugh, but my dog makes me laugh, my children make me laugh, and if I need to laugh, I’ll probably put something really funny on the television.”
He reassured the children that it was normal not to feel happy all the time.
“There are some days when you’d like to laugh, but it might not always be possible,” he said. “But you’ve got brothers and sisters, friends and this community.”
Harry added that sharing a laugh at the end of a difficult day can often feel like “the best medicine.”
Another attendee, 21-year-old Joshua, asked what Harry does to relax when life becomes stressful. Joshua’s father, Lance Corporal Christopher Bradshaw, died in a road accident in November 2011.
Harry said exercise had helped him manage grief, stress and loss.
“Whether it’s going for a walk through nature, taking the dog for a walk or swimming in the cold sea, which I love, it’s about getting yourself out and moving,” he explained.
He acknowledged that it can be easy to remain stuck in feelings of grief or stress, but said he had learned that taking action and staying active could help.
Sixteen-year-old Sebastian, whose father, Reverend John Hill, served in the Royal Navy and died in 2010, asked whether Harry did anything special to mark Diana’s birthday or the anniversary of her death.
“Yes, we do lemon drizzle cake,” Harry answered. “I think traditions are really, really important, especially when they’re sweet.”
Harry’s visit to the festival came a day after he, his wife Meghan and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, reportedly had a private family reunion with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove. It was said to be the family’s first visit together in four years.
