Prince Harry opens up on ‘out of body’ experience at Princess Diana’s funeral when he was just 12 years old
Prince Harry has bravely shared the heartbreaking details of his 'out of body' experience walking behind Princess Diana’s coffin when he was 12 years old in his new docuseries.
- Prince Harry was just 12 years old when he lost his mother Princess Diana and joined Prince William, Prince Charles and Earl Spencer walking behind her coffin on the day of the funeral.
- Now the Duke of Sussex has spoken out about this experience in his new Apple TV+ documentary series, The Me You Can’t See.
- This royal news comes as Prince Harry admits he turned to alcohol and drugs to ‘mask’ pain in the aftermath of his mother Princess Diana’s death.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back as senior members of the Royal Family last year and have since revealed that the intense scrutiny Meghan was under influenced their decision to move to the US. Speaking in the couple's “tell-all” Oprah interview, Harry seemed to compare Meghan’s experience with that of his late mother Princess Diana as he expressed concern about “history repeating itself”.
He candidly explained to Oprah in one of the clips: "I'm just really relieved and happy to be sitting here talking to you with my wife by my side.
"Because I can't begin to imagine what it must have been like for her going through this process by herself all those years ago.”
Now in his new Apple TV+ documentary series with Oprah, entitled The Me You Can’t See, Harry has opened up about the loss of his mother and revealed heartbreaking details about the day of her funeral. The Princess of Wales tragically died in a car crash in 1997, when Harry was just 12 and Prince William 15.
Her funeral was held on September 6 at Westminster Abbey, the same place where, 24 years later, William married Kate Middleton and forged happier memories there. On the day of the funeral, Diana’s coffin was transported from Kensington Palace to the Abbey in a poignant procession.
Her two sons joined Prince Charles, their uncle Earl Spencer and grandfather Prince Philip walking behind it.
GoodtoKnow Newsletter
Parenting advice, hot topics, best buys and family finance tips delivered straight to your inbox.
This tradition was observed last month at Prince Philip’s funeral, which saw many prominent royals including Harry and William walking behind his coffin to St George’s Chapel. Now Harry has described the walk on the day of Princess Diana’s funeral as an ‘out of body’ experience.
In his new docuseries, he stated: "For me the thing I remember the most was the sound of the horses' hooves going along the Mall.
"It was like I was outside of my body and just walking along, doing what was expected of me. Showing one tenth of the emotion that everybody else was showing.
"This was my mum - you never even met her”, he continued, referring to the huge crowds of mourners who lined the streets that day.
Prince Harry's heartbreaking words come ahead of the unveiling of a memorial statue of their mother. He and Prince William will reunite for this moving occasion and the brothers have reportedly approved the final design together.
The unveiling will take place on July 1st, on what would have been Princess Diana's 60th birthday.
Emma is a Senior Lifestyle Writer with six years of experience working in digital publishing, ranging from book publishing to magazines. She currently looks after all things Lifestyle for Woman&Home, Goodto.com, and My Imperfect Life.
-
Princess Diana could be about to spark Prince Harry and Prince William’s reconciliation, with adorable 'saved' childhood memory
The two princes shared an incredibly close bond growing up
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Princess Charlotte’s name fulfilled Prince William’s final promise to his mum Princess Diana, royal expert reveals
The Prince and Princess of Wales's daughter has a very sentimental name
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Princess Diana’s former royal butler reveals why there’s pressure on Prince William to ‘finish her legacy’
The late Princess's work had 'only just begun' when she died and Prince William is keen to carry it on
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Royal expert reveals Prince William’s ‘greatest tribute to his mother’ Princess Diana as he celebrates her 63rd birthday
"I wanted her to be proud of the person I'd become"
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Prince William is keeping Prince George, Charlotte and Louis’ feet on the ground with an important project inspired by Princess Diana
The Prince of Wales is keen to carry on the work started by his late mother, a royal expert has revealed
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Princess Diana left the bulk of her fortune to sons Prince William and Prince Harry - but there’s one thing from her childhood they’ll never inherit and the real heir is surprising
Princess Diana's two sons inherited a lot of their mother's belongings when she died, but they're set to miss out on one very special item
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Prince Harry’s Father’s Day plans with King Charles revealed as royal expert reminds public that he ‘really does love his father’
Royal fans are keen to know if Prince Harry will reach out to his father to celebrate the day
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Prince George and Prince William enjoy ‘rough and tumble father-and-son fun’ thanks to Princess Diana’s important parenting tactic
The Wales family are relying on Princess Diana's parenting rule to strike a balance between George's 'princely behaviour' and 'normal 10-year-old antics'
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published