Prince William and Prince Harry are finally opening up about one of the toughest subjects imaginable: the sudden, untimely death of their mother in 1997.
In a new video, live-streamed on the royal family’s Facebook page, the two brothers spoke about what they wish they had done differently when they lost their mother in a car accident nearly 20 years ago and why they hope that speaking out will help others experiencing similar loss.
All GIFs from Heads Together/YouTube.
Over the past year, the royal family has been working closely with mental health advocacy group Heads Together to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illness.
Earlier this week, Harry gave an extremely candid and in-depth interview to The Telegraph’s Bryony Gordon about what led him to seek counseling. The following day, William chatted with Lady Gaga for its #OKtoSay series.
Both brothers admitted to bottling up their feelings in the wake of Diana’s death.
Listening to Harry struggle even to discuss just how hard it was to let himself think about his mother’s death and hearing William’s measured, firm, yet loving push to get his brother to that point makes it clear why this issue is so near and dear to their hearts. The royal family has an enormous platform, and they have chosen to use it discuss mental health — their own mental health — one of the hardest things to talk about in private, let alone so publicly.
This isn’t easy for them, that much is clear. But 20 years later, following such a tragic loss, they’re leading by example, and that is a very welcome thing indeed.
