OMG! THE FIRST TIME PRINCE HARRY REVEALED HIS DEPRESSION AFTER MEGXIT — AND HOW IT EARNED HIM MORE THAN £100,000 IN JUST 90 MINUTES
Prince Harry has reportedly received a substantial fee for taking part in an online course about grief and emotional resilience, following his candid account of experiencing depression during the turbulent period before he and Meghan Markle stepped away from royal duties.
A source close to the Duke of Sussex confirmed that he was paid for his contribution to a new MasterClass programme, although the precise amount has not been disclosed. Reports have suggested that the payment could have reached $100,000, potentially accompanied by a share of subscription revenue generated by the course.
The programme, titled Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss, features Harry alongside Dr Mary-Frances O’Connor, a neuroscientist and researcher specialising in grief. The course explores how people can understand bereavement, recognise emotional responses to loss and develop strategies for moving forward.
The reported payment has attracted attention because Harry discusses deeply personal experiences, including the death of his mother, Princess Diana, and a period of depression he experienced in 2019.
Harry describes a difficult period before leaving royal life
During the recorded conversation, Harry recalled travelling to Canada with Meghan in 2019 as the couple considered their future within the Royal Family. Their stay provided a break from the pressures surrounding their public roles and growing tensions with other members of the monarchy.
However, stepping away from that demanding environment brought unexpected emotional difficulties.
Harry explained that he had become accustomed to operating under intense pressure. When that pressure eased, he experienced what he described as an “adrenaline crash” and struggled to function normally.
He said the experience developed into a period of depression lasting approximately two weeks. The account offers further insight into the emotional strain he was experiencing during the months leading up to the couple’s decision to withdraw from their positions as working royals.
Harry and Meghan announced their decision in early 2020. They subsequently established a new life in the United States, where they pursued independent commercial, media and charitable projects.
Questions over the reported fee
Although the exact terms of Harry’s agreement with MasterClass remain private, reports have cited industry information suggesting that instructors on the platform may receive significant upfront payments as well as a percentage of revenue generated by their classes.
The reported figure of $100,000 has not been independently confirmed as Harry’s actual fee. A source close to the duke confirmed that he had been paid but declined to discuss the financial details.
The source also urged the public to consider the content of the course before judging his participation, arguing that Harry was speaking sincerely about his personal experiences.
MasterClass operates through an annual subscription model, giving members access to a wide range of lessons from prominent figures in business, entertainment, sport and other fields. Harry’s programme is designed to combine personal reflection with research-based information about grief.
The financial questions have nevertheless prompted discussion about the relationship between celebrity-led educational content and the commercial value of personal disclosures.
The lasting impact of Princess Diana’s death
One of the central themes of Harry’s contribution is the effect of losing his mother when he was 12 years old.
Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris in August 1997. Harry has spoken publicly over the years about how difficult it was to process her death and how he suppressed his emotions for an extended period.
In the new programme, he reflects on feeling emotionally disconnected and struggling to access memories of his mother. He also discusses how he came to understand that experiencing happiness did not mean he was forgetting or betraying her.
Harry has previously described how military service, work and maintaining a demanding schedule helped him avoid confronting painful feelings. In the course, he considers how such coping mechanisms can become difficult to sustain over time.
Dr O’Connor contributes scientific context, explaining how grief affects both the brain and the body. The programme encourages participants to recognise emotional patterns, develop healthier coping strategies and build a renewed sense of identity after loss.
Rather than presenting grief as something that can simply be left behind, the course explores how people can learn to live with it while continuing to grow.
A wider focus on mental health
Harry has made mental health awareness a prominent part of his public work, including initiatives connected with bereavement, young people and emotional wellbeing.
His collaboration with Dr O’Connor brings together his personal perspective and her research into the psychological and physiological effects of grief. The course addresses different forms of loss, including bereavement, relationship breakdown, illness and major life changes.
The launch also comes ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10, placing the programme within a broader discussion about access to mental health support and the importance of addressing emotional distress.
Harry’s willingness to discuss depression may help bring attention to experiences that many people find difficult to describe. At the same time, the reported payment has raised questions about the commercial arrangements behind the project.
The precise financial terms remain undisclosed, and the widely reported $100,000 figure should be treated as an estimate rather than a confirmed amount.
For Harry, the programme provides another opportunity to discuss the personal consequences of grief and the importance of developing healthier ways to cope with loss. For subscribers, it offers a combination of lived experience and scientific guidance intended to help them navigate difficult periods in their own lives.