Prince Harry says he doesn’t see himself as a ‘victim’

Royal family

By Nicky Gostin

March 4, 2023 | 15:23

Prince Harry doesn’t feel sorry for himself.

“I certainly don’t see myself as a victim,” the Duke of Sussex, 38, said during an online chat with Dr. Gabor Maté on Saturday to discuss his recently published memoir, “Spare”.

Indeed, Harry added that by writing his book he feels he is performing a public service.

“I’m really grateful to be able to share my story in hopes that it will help, empower, encourage others and hopefully let people understand — again, back to the human experience — (that) we are in some shape and form. all connected, especially through trauma, the Californian royal told the Hungarian-Canadian doctor.

Harry said that when he first began the journey of writing his memoirs, he told his publishing team that he wanted it “to be an act of service.”

“I know how important it is to share these stories; how you can save a life and improve lives because you almost give people permission to talk about their own things and be themselves,” he added.

Despite what “South Park” might think, the Duke claimed he has never sought sympathy from others, noting, “I do not and have never sought sympathy in this.”

Harry said that because of his life experiences – through his childhood, his 38 years of life and the work he has done around mental health – he felt his story would “help someone or some people out there.”

The British prince also pointed out that while he may have “lost a lot” by leaving the royal family with his wife, Meghan Markle, in 2020, he also “gained a lot.”

“Watching my kids grow up here the way they are, I just can’t imagine how that would have been possible back in that environment,” Harry said.

“The way I understand it, you can try your best every day not to pass on trauma that you have as a parent, but if you’re still stuck in the same environment, it feels a little self-defeating.”

The 90-minute interview delved deeper into Harry’s past experience with therapy, and he admitted he was hesitant to unpack the trauma of his mother Princess Diana’s death at the age of 12.

The dad-of-two revealed he thought it would make him lose everything he “had left” of his mum, but he was relieved to find that wasn’t true.

“It turns out that wasn’t the case – it was the opposite,” Harry explained, adding that he learned Diana “wanted me to be happy and that was a big weight off my chest.”