Prince Harry‘s new collaboration with Netflix, the series “Heart of Invictus,” is now available for streaming. The series shines a spotlight on the Invictus Games, an event founded by the Duke in 2014, Express reports.
After his military service, Prince Harry drew inspiration from the annual Warrior Games in the US, which cater to injured and ill veterans. The Invictus Games extend this concept globally, providing a platform for service members facing physical and/or mental health challenges to compete internationally. The 2023 Games are scheduled for this September in Düsseldorf, Germany.
“Heart of Invictus” takes viewers behind the scenes, offering a glimpse into the lives of the competitors, organizers, and even Prince Harry himself as they prepare for the 2020 Invictus Games in The Hague. Throughout the series, the Duke shares some surprising revelations.
While some information from the series might already be common knowledge, there are certain reveals that might have a few folks shocked. One thing especially, is how he felt after Princess Diana passed away. Here are the four most significant takeaways from this documentary series, currently streaming on Netflix with plenty of episodes to binge.
Emotionless After Princess Diana Passed
In the fourth episode of “Heart of Invictus,” Prince Harry opened up about the profound impact of Princess Diana's death on his ability to express his emotions in a healthy way.
During a one-on-one conversation with Darrell Ling, a Canadian competitor in indoor rowing at the Invictus Games, Harry received words of understanding from Ling, who said, “I'm glad you've been through this stuff and know how we feel.” In response, Prince Harry humbly stated, “[I can't] pretend to know what you've been through.”
He went on to discuss how the trauma of losing his mother had a profound effect on him, saying, “I had no emotion, I was unable to cry, I was unable to feel. I didn't know it at the time. And it wasn't until later in my life, at the age of 28, there was a circumstance that happened that the first few bubbles started coming out, and then suddenly it was like someone shook and it went ‘poof'… and then it was chaos.”
Lack Of Support After Afghanistan
In the documentary, Prince Harry shared his feelings of lacking a strong support network upon his return from his first tour of Afghanistan in 2008. He emphasized that, at that time, “no one” within his family was able to provide the help he needed. He clarified that it wasn't his military experiences that had traumatized him but rather that these experiences had triggered the unresolved trauma stemming from the loss of his mother, Princess Diana, at a young age.
This perspective appears to contrast with what he disclosed in a 2017 interview with Bryony Gordon on the Mad World podcast. In that interview, he attributed his ability to seek therapy to the encouragement and support he received from his brother, Prince William, and other close friends. Harry had previously stated that William played a crucial role by consistently telling him that what he was experiencing was neither right nor normal and that it was acceptable to seek help.
Going To Meghan Markle For Guidance
In a clip from the first episode of Prince Harry's series, he appeared visibly “nervous” as he prepared to deliver a speech at the Salute of Freedom Gala in November 2021. Body language expert Judi James noted that during moments of high stress, Harry often turned to Meghan for reassurance.
James explained that in one scene, Harry and Meghan were seen walking the red carpet hand in hand, with Harry confiding in his wife, saying, “I’m nervous.” This seemed to be a way for him to seek her support and affection during a tense moment. Additionally, there were glimpses of Harry engaging in deep breathing and physical stretches before taking the stage to deliver his speech. After Meghan introduced him to the Invictus audience, Harry appeared visibly moved and teary-eyed as he spoke.
Still Believing In Making His Family Proud
Despite Prince Harry's strained relationship with his family following his departure from royal duties and the publication of his memoir, he continues to emphasize the significance of family during video calls with Invictus Games competitors.
During these calls, he shares words of encouragement with former soldiers, expressing that when they are competing or having a great time, they are not only making their families proud but also themselves. He encourages them to embrace their emotions and not hesitate to express their feelings, even if it means shedding tears.
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