Prince Harry Feared He Would Raise Archie Alone as Meghan Was Close to Ending Up like His Mom Diana

In a documentary series with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, Prince Harry spoke candidly about the challenges he and Meghan Markle faced as working Royals. Find out what the Duke revealed was his biggest fear.

Throughout his lifetime, Prince Harry has faced many difficult situations, including the death of his mother, Princess Diana. The Duke of Sussex was only 12 years old when the Princess of Wales died in a car accident in August 1997.

For someone as young as Prince Harry, who was close to his mother, dealing with Princess Diana's death was a heart-wrenching experience.

The Duke suffered anxiety, panic attacks, and depression for the longest time. He often tried not to think of Princess Diana's death, as it made him feel helpless.

By his late twenties, the Duke had turned to alcohol and drugs. Recalling his experience, Prince Harry told Oprah Winfrey that he was willing to drink and take drugs to feel better.

According to the former senior working royal, he would drink a week's worth of alcohol on a Friday or Saturday to hide his pain. The thought of how Princess Diana died was more heart-wrenching for the Duke.

During a documentary series with Winfrey, Harry opened up about the circumstances surrounding his mother's death. According to him, Princess Diana was chased to her death by the paparazzi due to her romance with someone that was not white.

Before the tragic incident, Princess Diana was romantically involved with Dodi Al Fayed, Egyptian film producer, and son of billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed.

Due to their racial differences, the former lovers faced racism and would always be chased and harassed by the media. An attempt to escape one of those harassments and chases led to Princess Diana's untimely death.

INSIDE PRINCE HARRY AND MARKLE'S UNION/CHALLENGES IN THE UK

While battling his mental issues, Prince Harry would see a ray of hope in the form of his future wife. The pair met in 2016, and the Duke decided to get help for his mental health troubles the following year. He started therapy, which helped him and his romance with Markle.

The couple's love blossomed, and in November 2017, Prince Harry popped the question and asked Markle to marry him. On May 19, 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex walked down the aisle at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The following year, they welcomed their son, Archie. Everything seemed to be going well, but things turned sour between the couple and the Royal Family at some point.

In 2019, Prince Harry told ITV Reporter Tom Bradby about tensions between him and his brother Prince William. Then, the following year, the Duke and Duchess announced their decision to step down as Senior Working Royals.

A year before the big announcement, Markle and Kate Middleton were photographed together at the Wimbledon tennis championships finals, laughing. However, when Winfrey asked Markle about the photo, the latter seemed to have a different notion.

As opposed to the public's thoughts of the Duchesses being in a good place, Markle noted that "it is nothing like what it looks like." Two years later, Prince Harry would open up about his wife's mental health issues while living in the UK.

The Duke confessed to Winfrey that at some point, Markle was suicidal but did not get the help she needed from the Royal Family members.

Prince Harry explained that the only thing that stopped Markle from succumbing to the pressure was how unfair it would be for the Duke to lose another woman in his life after Princess Diana's death. While his wife was battling her challenges, Prince Harry revealed he was scared.

His greatest fear was that Markle would end up like his mother, and he would have to raise Archie by himself. In Prince Harry's words:

"I then had a son who I would far rather be solely focused on, rather than every time I look into his eyes wondering whether my wife is going to end up like my mother and I'm going to have to look after him myself."

Prince Harry's fears, accompanied by the pressure Markle faced and his family's alleged refusal to help, led to the couple's decision to step down. Prince Harry said,

"I thought my family would help, but every single ask, request, warning, whatever it is, just got met with total silence, total neglect."

Two months before Prince Harry's revelation in the Documentary series, the Duke and his wife told Winfrey about a frightening experience. On January 16, 2019, the couple was to attend a Cirque du Soleil at Royal Albert Hall.

Prince Harry was skeptical about Markle going because she was six months pregnant, but the latter said she could not be left alone. The former actress said she had suicidal thoughts that day and was scared of what would happen if she did not go.

So, Prince Harry and Markle attended the occasion together and held on to each other tightly, hiding their difficult situations with big smiles.

PRINCE HARRY AND MARKLE'S LIFE IN LOS ANGELES

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appear to be in a good place and are doing well. After escaping from London, the couple purchased a home in Santa Barbara for about $14.9 million.

Prince Harry and Markle also sought new financial ventures as the latter continued advocating for charitable causes. Then, on June 4, 2021, they welcomed their daughter, Lilibet Diana.

Being amazing parents and raising their children in love are the most important things for the couple. Despite having nannies for their children, Prince Harry and Markle are keen on being there for them as much as possible.

In addition, Prince Harry and Markle have decided that it is best to keep Archie and Lilibet away from the spotlight. Meanwhile, the couple strives to ensure that their kids have good relationships with other members of the Royal Family.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.