Prince Harry says Princess Diana's death made him want out of royal role
Prince Harry is opening up about his mother's death and the effect it had on his views of royalty.
The royal discussed the topic Thursday during a speaking engagement at the InterEdge Summit in Melbourne, Australia.
Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, are currently on a tour of Australia and have been attending both private meetings and public functions throughout the trip.
"After my mum died, before my 13th birthday, I didn't want this job," Harry said during a question and answer session, according to the Telegraph. "I didn't want this role. Whatever it is, wherever this is headed, I don't like it, it killed my mum."
Harry and Meghan ultimately stepped down from their roles as senior working royals in 2020 and moved to California, where they now live with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
Harry also spoke at the summit about the importance of giving back, saying that acts of service ultimately allowed him to reconcile his feelings about being a public figure.
"Giving back for me has been a cure," he said, according to the publication.
Harry's mom, Princess Diana, died in a car crash on Aug. 31, 1997, at the age of 36, while fleeing paparazzi in Paris. Her death prompted worldwide mourning and messages of condolences from leaders across the globe.
In 2022, Harry spoke about his mother's death at a charity event in Aspen, Colorado.
"Next week is the 25th anniversary of my mother's death, and she most certainly will never be forgotten," he said at the time. "I want it to be a day filled with memories of her incredible work and love for the way she did it. I want it to be a day to share the spirit of my mum with my family, with my children, who I wish could have met her. Every day, I hope to do her proud."
Harry and Meghan kicked off their four-day Australia trip Tuesday, arriving in Melbourne from Los Angeles.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not visited Australia in eight years.
Their most recent trip to the country was in 2018, when the couple were still senior working members of the British royal family.
