Prince Harry Says He Sometimes Asks Princess Diana Questions and Gets a Response

Prince Harry has openly discussed the deep spiritual bond he feels with his late mother, Princess Diana, revealing that he often reflects on her influence in his life. In a recent interview published by GQ, the Duke of Sussex, aged 42, shared insights about his emotional journey following his mother’s untimely death in 1997.

During the interview, which was filmed during his visit to New York City, Harry spoke about his participation in a MasterClass centred on grief. He recounted how he used to avoid thinking about his mother, but has since shifted his perspective. “Now, I think about her pretty much every night and most mornings,” he explained. He noted that this reflection is not an in-depth analysis but a simple acknowledgment of his loss, often pondering what life would be like had she been present.

Harry elaborated on the nature of these contemplations, revealing that he occasionally poses questions to his mother, sometimes feeling as though he receives responses. He made a self-deprecating comment, suggesting that such sentiments might come off as if he has “spent too much time in California.” Nevertheless, he stressed the genuine connection he feels with her spirit, especially during significant moments in his life.

One particular photograph of Diana taken by renowned French photographer Patrick Demarchelier holds special significance for Harry. He described feeling a sense of eye contact and connection when he views the image, stating, “I can actually get eye contact from her, and there’s a cheekiness in her smile. I just feel very connected to her.” This photograph serves as a touchstone for his reflections and has become a means through which he contemplates his mother’s thoughts on his current life.

Harry shared how his relationship with photographs of his mother has evolved over time. In the immediate aftermath of her death, he found it challenging to engage with these images. As a young boy grieving the loss of his mother, he avoided thinking about the sadness he associated with those memories. Reflecting on this period, he recalled: “Even though I had photographs in my bedroom at school, I distinctly remember not thinking about my mother because thinking about something that sad was never gonna bring her back.”

The Duke also highlighted a struggle he faced in finding joy and happiness without feeling guilty about moving forward. For years, Harry felt emotionally numb, believing that feeling joy could somehow diminish the memory of his mother. “I felt disloyal and guilty for the possibility of being happy and joyful without her,” he admitted. However, a transformative realisation eventually occurred: “The reality is, what I discovered was actually that she just wanted me to be happy. And that was a huge mental shift for me.”

This newfound understanding has liberated him, allowing him to view life through a different lens. In his charitable endeavors, which largely reflect the causes Diana championed, Harry articulates how he strives to make her proud. “Everything I do, everything I put my energy towards, I hope that my mother will be proud about it,” he expressed.

His efforts to carry on his mother’s legacy are evident in his dedication to issues she was passionate about, including mental health and humanitarian work. “With grief comes this — it’s not so much responsibility, but this carrying of the person that you’ve lost throughout your life,” he said. He elaborated that there is an element of inheriting Diana’s ethos, which energises him in his pursuits.

Harry’s reflections showcase a heartfelt narrative of loss, growth, and the ongoing influence a mother continues to exert on her child’s life even in her absence. As he navigates the complexities of grief and legacy, his thoughts on Diana resonate with the notion that love can transcend even the most profound losses. Through his public life and charity work, he remains committed to honouring her memory while forging his path forward.