AceShowbiz - Prince Harry shared heartfelt reflections on his royal role during a keynote speech at the InterEdge Summit in Melbourne, Australia. Speaking on the third day of his and Meghan Markle's visit, he candidly revealed how the pressures of royal life once felt unbearable, connecting deeply to the loss of his mother, Princess Diana.

The Duke of Sussex opened his address on leadership and psychosocial safety by discussing the profound impact of grief and the emotional struggles he experienced after losing his mother just before his 13th birthday. "After my mum died, I was like: 'I don't want this job,'" Harry admitted. "It killed my mum, and I was very much against it."

He described years of avoidance and denial, saying he "stuck my head in the sand for years," before beginning to reconsider his responsibilities. This shift in mindset came from reflecting on what his mother would have wanted and recognizing the potential to use his platform to make a positive difference. "If there was somebody else in this position, how would they be making the most of this platform and the resources that come with it?" he questioned.

Earlier in the day, Harry acknowledged the overwhelming anxieties many face today, highlighting feelings of powerlessness and stress. Dressed in a jacket and white shirt, he candidly spoke about not having everything "together," despite appearances. "While my experiences may be unusual, the feelings that come with them are not," he said, emphasizing that loss is disorienting at any age.

He reflected on the difficulty of experiencing grief under constant public scrutiny, describing it as being "in a goldfish bowl." Harry explained that grief does not vanish simply because it is ignored and that without purpose, it can be devastating. "There have been many times when I've felt overwhelmed, lost, betrayed, or completely powerless," he revealed. He also spoke about the pressure to maintain a public facade, saying, "I still had to show up pretending everything was ok, so as not to let anyone down."

For years, Harry said he felt numb and lacked the tools to cope with these struggles, but therapy eventually offered relief. He shared that he only sought help "when I was literally in the fetal position, much older, lying on the kitchen floor," pointing to the importance of mental health support.

During the summit, Harry participated in a discussion with Australian business leader and former politician Brendan Nelson. The event included a range of ticket options, from £525 for general admission to £1,250 for platinum tickets, with a virtual ticket priced at £260 for on-demand access to the speeches. It is understood that neither Harry nor Meghan were paid for their appearances during this visit; Meghan filmed for MasterChef Australia on the same trip.

The Duke’s remarks came shortly after Meghan spoke to young people at Melbourne’s Swinburne University of Technology, opening up about her decade-long experience with online harassment. She described herself as "the most trolled person in the entire world," revealing the toll that social media bullying has taken on her.

Meghan criticized social media companies, saying they are not incentivized to stop harmful behavior because their billion-dollar industry is built on cruelty to generate clicks. She encouraged resilience, urging those facing similar challenges to be stronger than the negativity. "Now, I’m still here," she said, showing her determination despite the attacks.

At the same event, Harry connected the issue of social media to widespread loneliness, highlighting how online platforms often contribute to feelings of isolation. He shared his own journey toward seeking therapy as a way to manage these pressures.

The day began with Harry and Meghan participating in the Scar Tree Walk in Melbourne, a cultural event that highlights Indigenous Australian heritage. The walk was led by local Aboriginal guides and started at the Koorie Heritage Trust in Federation Square. The term "Koorie" refers to Indigenous people from Victoria and parts of New South Wales.

During the walk, the couple was surrounded by media and security, with a helicopter overhead and police officers present due to the growing crowd of journalists. The Scar Tree Walk educates participants about the traditional use of scar trees by Aboriginal Australians, who removed bark to craft canoes, shelters, tools, and weapons.

Harry and Meghan paused along the route to interact with the public and pose for photos, surprising joggers and cyclists who encountered them during their visit. This engagement with Indigenous culture was a key part of their third day in Australia.

The candidness of Harry's keynote and Meghan's discussion about online abuse shed light on the personal challenges they continue to face despite their public roles. Their openness about mental health, grief, and resilience resonated deeply with summit attendees and young people alike.

Overall, the Duke’s reflections on his royal role reveal a journey from resistance to acceptance, shaped by the memory of his mother and a desire to use his position for positive impact. The couple’s visit to Australia combined advocacy, cultural respect, and personal storytelling, illustrating their commitment to mental health awareness and social change.