The Duke of Sussex has revealed that he experienced a severe mental health dip shortly after relocating to Canada in 2019, describing a period where he suffered an abrupt adrenaline crash and sank into depression.

Speaking as part of a commercial online masterclass focused on navigating grief, the prince explained that his departure from the United Kingdom was initially intended to secure some breathing room. However, the sudden removal from a high-pressure environment triggered an unexpected physical and psychological reaction.

According to the duke, his system had been operating on high levels of stress hormones for years. Once he arrived on Vancouver Island and the tension dissipated, his brain struggled to adapt to the calm surroundings. He noted that he felt completely unproductive around his temporary residence for a brief window as his body adjusted.

During the discussion, the royal also reflected on his long-term struggles with emotional processing following the passing of Princess Diana when he was just a child. He admitted to maintaining a state of emotional detachment well into his adulthood, driven by a persistent sense of guilt. He believed that experiencing joy or happiness would be a betrayal of his mother's memory, leading him to feel obligated to keep a constant state of sorrow.

Efforts to outrun these difficult emotions included two military deployments to Afghanistan during his twenties, though he eventually realized that physical distance and high-stakes environments could not resolve unresolved grief. For nearly two decades following the public farewell to his mother, he did not shed tears, instead relying on emotional numbness as a coping mechanism.

The breakthrough in his healing process eventually came through professional guidance. He shared that a therapist encouraged him to use a spray of his mother's perfume as a sensory tool to break through the emotional barrier, which ultimately helped him realize that she would have wanted him to live a joyful life.

The online educational session also featured insights from scientific experts, including University of Arizona neuroscientist Mary-Frances O'Connor. She discussed the complex ways in which the human brain processes loss, noting that the mind often treats a deceased loved one as merely misplaced rather than entirely gone, prompting a continuous internal search until the individual learns to accept the reality of the absence.

The remarks come amid broader lifestyle changes for the duke and his household. After spending six years residing in the United States, the family recently made an unexpected return to the United Kingdom alongside their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. They are currently reported to be residing in the Cotswolds region as they begin a new chapter closer to British shores.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.