Prince Harry has a clear boundary when it comes to balancing work with life alongside Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and that's keeping his time away from them to a minimum.
In his new MasterClass, Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss, the Duke of Sussex explains that his approach includes spending “no more than 10 days away from my wife and kids,” according to People.
© Aaron Chown - PA ImagesHe described family life as a source of happiness, alongside the sense of purpose he finds through his work. The personal detail accompanies a candid account of a much more difficult period, when Harry and Meghan were new parents preparing to reshape their lives.
A difficult chapter in Canada:
Harry recalls experiencing an emotional crash shortly after arriving in Canada with Meghan and their then-infant son in late 2019. Away from the stressful environment he had left, he found himself struggling with everyday life.
“I actually slipped into depression for about two weeks and I felt like I couldn’t function without adrenaline,” he says in the class.
© Aaron Chown - PA ImagesThe family’s Canadian stay came before Harry and Meghan announced their intention to step back as senior working royals in January 2020. His recollection offers a glimpse into the private adjustment behind that highly public transition.
Speaking with neuroscientist Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor, Harry also explores the grief he carried after losing Princess Diana at 12. He recalls emotional numbness and panic attacks, and describes eventually recognizing that finding happiness did not mean being disloyal to his mother’s memory.
Another family chapter in Britain:
His reflections arrive as the Sussexes settle into another significant change. Harry and Meghan returned to Britain with Archie and Lilibet in August for an extended stay, following their years in California. The move does not involve a return to working royal duties.
© Meghan Markle/ InstagramAgainst that backdrop, Harry’s 10-day limit offers a small but revealing detail about his priorities today. Making room for meaningful work while protecting time with his wife and children.
Harry’s recent schedule shows how that balance plays out. During a September visit to New York, he spoke at the Clinton Global Initiative about the risks artificial intelligence and social media pose to children.
© Global Images UkraineHe also appeared at the Skift Global Forum, attended an event supporting conservation in Botswana’s Okavango Delta and joined a Diana Award gathering focused on young people and mental health.
The trip came weeks after Harry and Meghan returned to Britain with Archie and Lilibet on August 26. The family has established a base outside London while retaining their Montecito home.
© Getty ImagesHarry has also attended the Invictus Spirit Awards and WellChild Awards in Britain, continuing his charitable commitments as the children settle into their new surroundings. Their return has not changed the couple’s status as non-working members of the royal family.
