Psychiatrist Links Harry's Legal Battles to Childhood Grief
A psychiatrist has weighed in on Prince Harry's “terribly misguided actions” over the past few years, suggesting the root cause lies in unresolved grief from his mother's death. Dr. Max Pemberton, writing in the Daily Mail, said the Duke of Sussex's costly and lengthy legal crusade against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) has “nothing to do with the newspapers” but traces back to 1997, when Princess Diana died.
Harry lost his privacy case against the publisher of the Daily Mail last week, just as he began a five-day trip to the UK to mark the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games in Birmingham. A High Court judge dismissed his claim over alleged unlawful information gathering, ruling that none of the seven claimants had proved the allegations. ANL denied the claims and argued they were brought too late.
The Psychiatrist's Analysis
Dr. Pemberton, a medical doctor and columnist, said: “As a psychiatrist, what most intrigues me is why he went to court in the first place? Why spend four years and presumably a lot of money on such a misguided crusade?” He explained that grief in childhood “goes underground” and often resurfaces in adulthood when the person has the power to act. “What mourning wants, above everything, is to undo; to go back. And since that cannot be done, the wish attaches itself to whatever might provide answers.”
Harry was 12 years old when he walked behind his mother's coffin, watched by 100 million people, and did not cry. Dr. Pemberton noted that a boy of that age understands he is not permitted to show emotion in such a public setting.
Harry's Recent Comments on Grief
During an appearance at Scotty's Little Soldiers summer festival at Maxstoke Castle, Warwickshire, on Saturday, Harry spoke about how he marks the anniversary of his mother's death or her birthday. “We do lemon drizzle cake. I think traditions are really, really important, especially when they're sweet,” he said.
When asked how he destresses when things get tough, Harry revealed: “Exercise is universally good for helping with grief, stress, and loss. Whether it's going for a walk through nature, taking the dog for a walk or swimming in the cold sea – I love that – just to get yourself out and moving.” He added, “It's very easy to sit in your grief, to sit in your stress,” but he had learned that it was better to do something, saying, “Talking. Guys, if you're feeling it, share it.”
