Prince Harry has revealed how the death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, affected him in a new book to support grieving children and young people who have lost loved ones in the pandemic.
To mark the UK’s day of reflection next Tuesday on the anniversary of the first national lockdown, the Duke of Sussex has written the foreword for “Hospital by the Hill,” a book project from the Hampshire child bereavement support charity, Simon Says.
It follows the story of a young person coping with the death of their mother, who had been working in a local hospital on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis.
“If you are reading this book, it’s because you’ve lost your parent or a loved one, and while I wish I was able to hug you right now, I hope this story is able to provide you comfort in knowing that you’re not alone,” Harry’s message begins.
He then draws on his own experience with bereavement at a young age, and reflects on how it made him feel.
“When I was a young boy I lost my mum. At the time I didn’t want to believe it or accept it, and it left a huge hole inside of me. I know how you feel, and I want to assure you that over time that hole will be filled with so much love and support,” Harry continues.
“We all cope with loss in a different way, but when a parent goes to heaven, I was told their spirit, their love and the memories of them do not. They are always with you and you can hold onto them forever. I find this to be true.”
The prince ends the introduction by sharing his understanding of loneliness and grief, telling readers that the “feeling will pass.”
“And I will make a promise to you – you will feel better and stronger once you are ready to talk about how it makes you feel.”
Princess Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997 alongside her partner, Dodi Fayed, and driver, Henri Paul, as their vehicle was being chased by paparazzi on motorcycles.
Harry is expected to join his brother, William, in July when a statue of Diana is installed at Kensington Gardens in London. The sculpture was commissioned by the Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex and is set to be unveiled on what would have been the Princess of Wales’ 60th birthday.
It will be the first time the pair have seen each other since Harry moved to