Prince Harry Says Princess Diana’s Perfume Helped Unlock Memories He Had ‘Shut Down’

In a poignant new MasterClass, Prince Harry has opened up about his journey through grief and the profound impact of scent in reviving cherished memories of his late mother, Princess Diana. The Duke of Sussex, who is now 42, shared that the lingering fragrance of Diana’s favourite perfume helped him reconnect with snippets of her presence, which he had long struggled to recall.

In this MasterClass, aptly titled *Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss*, Prince Harry reflects on how years of suppressing his emotions since the tragic passing of his mother left him devoid of even her voice and laughter. After the death of Diana in 1997, Harry admitted that he had forgotten “what my mum sounded like” and that he needed photographic reminders to visualise her.

Through his personal therapist, Harry learned about a technique commonly used with military veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This method involved the powerful use of familiar scents to access buried memories. For Harry, this meant inhaling the fragrance of *First* by Van Cleef & Arpels, a scent he recalls vividly from his childhood. “It was like being transported to another time,” he described the experience, as it allowed him to break through an emotional barrier he had constructed over the years.

The MasterClass was filmed in California earlier this summer and launched on October 8, just ahead of World Mental Health Day. It aims to support two bereavement charities: Comfort Zone Camp and Scotty’s Little Soldiers, the latter being an initiative close to Harry’s heart. The class, which features neuroscientist Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor alongside the Duke, delves into how grief affects the brain and body, and how memory can be uniquely intertwined with scent.

Reflecting on his mother’s tragic death when he was only 12, Harry shared a recollection of walking behind her coffin during the public funeral procession. He described that moment as incredibly surreal, noting how he and Prince William stood as “intermediaries for these people’s grief,” feeling almost guilty for their own emotional restraint compared to the public’s heartfelt displays of sorrow.

It was not until the private burial of Diana at Althorp, her childhood estate, that Harry experienced a cathartic moment of crying, which he remembered as feeling “really good”. He candidly shared that, for many years, he clung to a belief that his mother was alive and would return, a mindset that served as a protective mechanism. This denial, he explained, led him to suppress both painful and joyful memories in a bid to cope with his loss.

Dr. O’Connor elaborated on the scientific basis for the link between scent and memory, highlighting the connections to the amygdala and hippocampus, key areas in the brain associated with emotion and recollection. She pointed out that, in the context of grieving, using scent can help individuals confront the truth that their loved one is gone while still allowing them to cherish memories.

Harry’s journey towards embracing happiness without guilt about his mother’s absence has been significant. He expressed a daunting feeling of obligation to remain sad, as if it might prove his love for her. However, he ultimately recognised that Diana would have wanted him to strive for joy, marking a turning point in his outlook on life.

Today, Harry channels his grief into his charitable work and familial ties, seeking to maintain his mother’s legacy. He stated, “Everything I do, everything I put my energy towards, I hope that my mother will be proud of it.” He has come to understand that his efforts align closely with the causes Diana championed, fuelling his passion and commitment in the process.

As we approach the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death in August 2027, it appears that Prince Harry may have plans to honour her memory further. There is speculation about potential documentary projects, though nothing has been officially confirmed at this time.

This reflective MasterClass not only sheds light on Prince Harry’s personal battle with grief but also serves as a reminder of the enduring impact that loved ones have on our lives, and how revisiting treasured memories can facilitate healing.