In Prince Harry’s upcoming Oprah-produced, Apple TV+ documentary series on mental health, “The Me You Don’t See,” Harry digs even deeper on how he dealt with the death of his mother, Princess Diana.
Apparently, after the death of Diana, when the Duke was only 12, people around the family and their various castles kept mum about the whole thing, leading to Harry dealing with the loss and the surrounding British press clamour with drink and drugs throughout his 20s and 30s.
As CNN reports, Harry, co-creator of the series, tells Winfrey, "I would probably drink a week's worth in one day on a Friday or a Saturday night. And I would find myself drinking not because I was enjoying it, but because I was trying to mask something… I was willing to drink, I was willing to take drugs, I was willing to try and do the things that made me feel less like I was feeling."
Panic attacks and severe anxiety came into play also. "28 to probably 32 was a nightmare time in my life," said the former royal.
His party-going youth was fodder for the British press. And the probable anger and guilt over adding to the sordid entanglement between the British press and Royals history no doubt compounded the problem for the young Prince.
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These sorts of admissions would be a shock coming from any celebrity, but they are so far afield from the history of stiff upper lip royalty that they take on a deeper effect than just another celeb tell-all. Prince Harry really is making a serious play at changing the repressed habits of Sussex society.
Harry’s bride Meghan has stood right next to him, revealing last March that she contemplated suicide while pregnant with their son, Archie.
While the Prince’s admissions are shifting the reputation of the Royal Family is progressive ways, other stars will appear throughout “The Me You Can’t See” to pull veils away from other celebrity worlds. It will also feature appearances from singer Lady Gaga, actress Glenn Close, and NBA player DeMar DeRozan, who will open up about their mental health histories.
Prince Harry hopes this series, which premieres tonight, will help destigmatize mental health, and show others that they aren’t alone.
Audacy’s I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-273-8255.
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