Prince Harry reveals ‘key’ to maintaining happy marriage to Meghan Markle, living fulfilling family life

Prince Harry has revealed what he describes as the “key” to maintaining joy and happiness in his marriage to Meghan Markle.

Speaking to neuroscientist and grief expert, Dr Mary-Frances O’Connor, in the latest instalment of the MasterClass series Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss, the Duke of Sussex opened up about the importance of family.

“The biggest factor for me is the energy and the joy and happiness that I get being with my family, especially our kids, and the joy and happiness I get by being on the ground for my work,” Prince Harry told the segment, as cited by news.com.au.

Prince Harry went on to explain how managing time away from Meghan and their two children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, is a crucial consideration.

“The key to finding the joy and happiness balance is no more than 10 days away from my wife and kids,” Prince Harry added.

“This is balancing my work and the purpose behind that as well as being a dad and a husband and the sort of multi-identity elements coming together.”

In a candid reflection, Prince Harry reflected on his mental health struggles in the wake of his family’s relocation across the Atlantic after their abrupt exit from royal duties in 2020.

“Being in Canada, away from the stressful environment where presumably my body was just pumped full of adrenaline, within two or three days, I experienced this adrenaline crash, something that I’d never experienced before,” the Duke of Sussex said.

“I actually slipped into depression for about two weeks and I felt like I couldn’t function without adrenaline.”

The Duke of Sussex also touched on the grief of losing his mother, Princess Diana, when he was just 12-years-old.

“I didn’t cry when I was told my mum died, only at her burial, and then not again for nearly two decades,” he said.

“I was convinced that was strength, but it wasn’t. It was a 12-year-old boy with no permission to fall apart and no road map for how to heal.

“You would think I had the best help in the world. I’m a prince for God’s sake, but I was still grieving and didn’t have any place to put those feelings.”

Prince Harry’s candid comments come just weeks after he provided a positive update on his children’s schooling arrangements after security concerns threw them into disarray.

The Duke of Sussex revealed his son and daughter were “happy in school” during a TV interview in Toronto after completing a charity skydive.

“The kids are happy in school and it gives me a chance to really focus on Invictus in Birmingham,” he told Canadian broadcaster CTV, according to ITV News.

Speaking one month after the family left their life in California for a new start in the UK on August 26, Prince Harry added it was “great to be back on British soil”.

Archie and Lilibet initially started at a school but were withdrawn after just two days amid security concerns surrounding their daily journey to and from the campus.

The family’s security team reportedly raised concerns about the practicalities of the commute, including the route and traffic, prompting the couple to reconsider the plans.

According to a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess, the move was not reflective of any criticism of the school and its staff.

“The decision for the children to move school was taken following a discussion with the family’s security team about the practicalities of their current arrangements,” they told Hello magazine.

“The parents remain extremely grateful to all the teachers and staff for the love, care and effort they have shown their family.

“This decision should in no way be interpreted as a reflection on the school or the exceptional care the children have received there.”