A Different Side of the Prince: 9 Photos from Harry's Notorious 'Party Era'

From public grief to private rebellion, the prince's early years were anything but ordinary. We look back at the personal struggles that shaped the royal rebel and the photographs that defined a generation's fascination.

Many people have spoken at length about Prince Harry's infamous, free-spirited years — what is often referred to as his party era. And we promise, you'll be able to catch a glimpse of that period through photographs at the end of the article.

However, we believe it is just as important to delve into what came before that era — the events and experiences that so profoundly shaped the then very young prince. Let us help you make sense of it all.

On August 31, 1997, the world was shaken by the sudden death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Her car crash in Paris sent shockwaves across the globe and shattered the lives of her two young sons — Prince William, then 15, and Prince Harry, just 12 years old.

The boys were at Balmoral Castle in Scotland with their father, now King Charles III, when the news broke. Speaking years later, Prince William revealed he sought refuge in the Scottish outdoors and the sanctuary of Crathie Kirk.

The experience forged a deep and lasting connection between him and the country. But for Prince Harry, the loss took root in a different way.

In his memoir "Spare," the Duke of Sussex recalled waiting for his father to assure him that Princess Diana was all right. Instead, His Majesty quietly told his son, "She didn't make it."

Those five words would echo in Prince Harry's memory for decades. "These phrases remain in my mind like darts in a board," he wrote. "And then everything seemed to come to a stop."

That grief — meant to be private and yet playing out under the gaze of millions — became a formative part of his early years. Grieving in public, while the world mourned a mother they never knew, left young Prince Harry grappling with overwhelming confusion.

Even as he fulfilled royal duties, the emotional cost was enormous. He later admitted to breaking down at Princess Diana's burial, the moment when his own grief could no longer be contained.

Over time, that emotional turmoil bled into the royal's teenage years. Known for his cheeky charm as a child, he grew into a mischievous teen — one increasingly labelled a royal bad boy.

By the time he was studying for his A-levels, reports suggested he had begun experimenting with cannabis and alcohol. Royal expert Katie Nicholl even claimed she first met him at a nightclub, during a period he was meant to be revising.

Worried about the direction his son was heading, King Charles took the then-16-year-old prince to a drug rehabilitation centre to speak with recovering addicts. It was a dramatic intervention — one that might have worked briefly, but ultimately did little to stop the spiral.

After choosing not to attend university, Prince Harry took a gap year before enrolling at Sandhurst. But the partying continued.

While Prince William maintained a relatively quiet life at the University of St Andrews, his younger brother was often seen stumbling out of London clubs, surrounded by cameras and curious onlookers.

The scrutiny intensified with each passing year. In 2004, Prince Harry was involved in a physical altercation with a photographer. A year later, controversy erupted when he attended a fancy-dress party wearing a Nazi armband.

And in 2012, the infamous Las Vegas incident saw the prince photographed naked in a hotel room — a scandal that made headlines worldwide. Though he apologised, calling it a lapse in judgment in what he believed was a private space, the fallout was severe.

For royal watchers, these incidents cemented Prince Harry's reputation as a rebel. Yet for many, they were also signs of something deeper — a response to years of grief, pressure, and the unique burden of being born the spare.

Behind palace walls, Prince Harry was expected to support the monarchy, backing both his father and elder brother — each destined to wear the crown.

But while King Charles and Prince William were preparing for future reigns, the Duke of Sussex was left navigating a role he didn't choose, in an institution where he often felt like an outsider.

As one person commented, "His mother died when he was barely a preteen, and no one helped him navigate that loss. It's a miracle he grew out of this phase."

Another shared, "Love Harry. Unfortunately he was in a lot of pain after his mother being killed. Im not surprised he protects his own family [sic]."

More netizens reflected on the psychological toll of those years. "Was it party or escape [sic]?" one person typed, while another commented simply, "We all go through it."

However, others saw the prince's rebellious streak as part of his personality. "Boy had always been a rebel," someone noted. Others celebrated the carefree days, adding, "He had it all 👏."

Now, years removed from those tabloid-fuelled headlines, Prince Harry has traded the party circuit for family life. His move away from the monarchy and his marriage to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, marked a new chapter — one of healing, reinvention, and fatherhood.

But before the rebrand came the rebellion. And the photos don't lie. Scroll on for nine pictures that defined the Duke of Sussex's unforgettable party era.