Prince Harry Reportedly Turned To 'M16 Therapists' For Help With His Mental Health

According to a royal insider, Prince Harry sought the help of an M16 therapist after his ex-girlfriend encouraged him to get therapy for his "temperament."
Therapy helped the Duke of Sussex confront long-suppressed grief over his mother's death. He has previously admitted that his wife, Meghan Markle, helped him battle his emotional turmoil early in their relationship.
Besides Prince Harry's issues, Meghan herself also revealed suicidal thoughts during pregnancy due to royal pressures, but claims the Palace denied her help.
Harry's journey toward emotional healing reportedly began with the encouragement of his former girlfriend, Cressida Bonas, who urged him to seek therapy after witnessing what has been described as his "explosive temperament."
According to the Daily Mail, royal biographer Tina Brown shared in her book "The Palace Papers" how Bonas became increasingly concerned about Harry's mental health and was instrumental in persuading him to get professional help.
A family acquaintance told Brown that Bonas pushed the Duke of Sussex to "accept he has problems and see a psychoanalyst."
This led Harry to Julia Samuel, a bereavement counselor with NHS experience and a close friend of his late mother, Princess Diana.
Samuel had a unique connection to the intelligence community as she had reportedly worked with MI6, advising staff on mental health, which made her an ideal choice for someone in Harry's position. Her background meant she was not only qualified but also capable of the utmost discretion.
"There was a need for someone who could be incredibly discreet and who understood what it's like to have a public version of your life and a private version," a person in Harry's inner circle said. "Therapists at MI6, that's what they do."
It was through these therapy sessions that Harry began to confront the grief he had long suppressed since the death of Princess Diana when he was just 12 years old.
Brown noted that the duke came to recognize his own coping mechanisms, ranging from reckless partying to emotionally shutting down as attempts to avoid dealing with his sorrow.
"He, at last, understood his own evasion of sorrow in tactics that ranged from champagne hooliganism to 'sticking my head in the sand, refusing to ever think about my mum, because why would that help?'" she wrote.
Bonas' insistence on getting help came after multiple troubling incidents, one of which occurred during a New Year's Day lunch at a pub in Kidlington, near Oxford.
As described by a source familiar with the situation, Harry reacted aggressively when an older man asked for a photo. He reportedly snapped, telling the man to "get out of my way," before turning red with anger and abruptly leaving the scene.
Harry has previously spoken candidly about his long-standing struggle with grief following the loss of his mother, and how it wasn't until he met his wife, Meghan Markle, that he began to seriously address his emotional wounds.
In the "The Me You Can't See" docuseries, which he co-created with Oprah Winfrey, Harry revealed that it was Meghan who encouraged him to start unpacking years of unresolved trauma.
During a conversation with Winfrey, she asked: "Only after meeting Meg did you start the process of trying to figure it out. You hadn't tried to before?"
Harry responded by shaking his head. "Never," he said. "I quickly established that if this relationship was going to work, then I was going to have to deal with my past."
Harry went on to describe the emotional weight he had been carrying, admitting that he had lived with a persistent sense of anger, particularly in connection with his mother's death.
"It wasn't anger at her," he clarified, "it was just… anger."
Encouraging others to take their mental health seriously, Harry emphasized that asking for help is a sign of courage, not vulnerability.
"To make that decision to receive help is not a sign of weakness," he said. "In today's world, more than ever, it is a sign of strength."
Meghan also previously opened up about her own struggles with mental health, revealing the profound emotional toll royal life took on her.
In her 2021 explosive interview with Winfrey, Meghan shared that she experienced suicidal thoughts while five months pregnant, overwhelmed by the pressures and isolation she felt as a member of the royal family.
She recalled reaching a breaking point, telling Harry that she no longer wanted to live.
"I knew that if I didn't say it, that I would do it," she said. "I just didn't want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear, real, and frightening constant thought."
The Duchess of Sussex said she expressed a need to seek professional help, telling her husband, "I need to go somewhere to get help." But according to Meghan, her request was denied by Palace staff, who reportedly said "it wouldn't be good for the institution."
During the interview, Meghan shared how Harry held her as she cried out for support. Despite the severity of her condition, she said she was still expected to attend a public engagement at the Royal Albert Hall that same evening in January 2019.
The US-based royals have since stepped back from their roles as working royals and have had a strained relationship with the royal family.

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Meghan Markle, Prince Harry leaving the Royal Family: A full timeline

(NewsNation) — It has been more than five years since Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, announced they would be stepping down from their royal duties. But what caused that decision, and what has the couple been up to since? Here is the full timeline of their departure and what happened following it: January 8, 2020: Markle and Harry use Instagram to announce that they will be stepping down from their roles as senior royals. The post says: 'After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuining our honour our duty to the Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.' They also revealed a new website that shows how they plan to distance themselves from the Royal Family. That included: Engaging with grassroots media organizations and young, up-and-coming journalists Inviting specialist media to certain events to give greater access to their cause-driven activities Providing access to credible outlets that are focused on objective news reporting Continuing to share information with the public through their official communications channels No longer being in the Royal Rota system There were reports that the Royal Family didn't know about the couple's decision beforehand. BBC News correspondent Jonny Dymond tweeted, 'BBC understands that no other member of the Royal Family was consulted before Harry and Meghan issued their personal statement tonight. The Palace is understood to be 'disappointed.'' Princess Kate pulls out of Royal Ascot appearance last minute Then, Buckingham Palace released a statement, saying, 'Discussion with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage. We understand the desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.' January 9, 2020: A source tells US Weekly that Prince William was 'blindsided' by Harry and Markle's decision. 'William is incredibly hurt, but at the same time, he has his own family to focus on and is trying to move forward with his life,' the source said. Many other sources told the Daily Mail that the Queen and the rest of the Royal Family were 'deeply disappointed' by the news. One source said, 'The level of deceit has been staggering and everyone from the top of the royal household to the bottom feels like they have been stabbed in the back.' Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo drama over Bluebird Cafe photos denied It is then reported that Harry tried meeting with Queen Elizabeth about the couple's plans, but was denied by her staff. According to the Evening Standard, Harry 'originally contacted Prince Charles about spending more time in Canada and America just before Christmas,' even asking for a 'summit with the Queen at Sandringham.' It is said that Queen Elizabeth agreed to the meeting, but it was blocked by her staff. January 11, 2020: A source tells US Weekly that Markle and Harry had to make their announcement when they did because The Sun had allegedly found out it was coming and was going to leak it. The source claimed, 'It was the paper's front page hours before the official announcement, so Harry and Meghan technically didn't beat them to it.' January 12, 2020: According to The Sunday Times, Harry told a friend, 'I've put my arm around my brother all our lives, and I can't do that anymore; we're separate entities. All we can do, and all I can do, is try and support them and hope that the time comes when we're all singing from the same page. I want everyone to play on the team.' January 13, 2020: Harry and William issue a joint statement through their spokespeople. That statement reads: 'Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between The Duke of Sussex and The Duke of Cambridge. For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful.' Later, Harry revealed that he had no idea that statement was being made. He said, 'I couldn't believe it. No one had asked me. No one had asked my permission to put my name to a statement like that… within four hours, they were happy to lie to protect my brother, and yet, for three years, they were never willing to tell the truth to us.' After that joint statement, Queen Elizabeth released her first official statement, saying, in part, 'My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life…' The statement ended with, 'These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.' January 18, 2020: The Queen releases a statement saying that she had come to an agreement with the couple and 'Harry, Meghan, and Archie will always be much-loved members of the family.' She also addressed the scrutiny that the couple had received and thanked them 'for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond…' Terry Moran comes out on top after being axed by ABC The agreement reportedly involved Harry and Markle giving up their royal titles, no longer receiving public funds and paying back the country for their Frogmore Cottage renovations. They also couldn't represent the Queen and had to start paying rent on their cottage. That agreement was only set to last a year, according to a source, and then it would be revisited. February 22, 2020: The Queen decides in an order that Markle and Harry can no longer use the word 'royal' in their branding, which meant their website and Instagram names would have to be changed. In response, Markel and Harry said: 'While there is not any jurisdiction by The Monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word 'Royal' overseas, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use 'Sussex Royal' or any iteration of the word 'Royal' in any territory (either within the U.K. or otherwise) when the transition occurs Spring 2020.' 'The trademark applications that had been filed as protective measures and that reflected the same standard trademarking requests as done for The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been removed.' March 3, 2020: Harry and Queen Elizabeth meet for a 4-hour conversation where the Queen reportedly offers the couple the chance to come back if they ever change their minds. March 9, 2020: Markle and Harry attend Commonwealth Day, which will be their last royal event before they step down from their royal duties. March 27, 2020: Markle and Harry moved to Los Angeles after briefly living in Canada. Harry later spoke with Oprah about their time in Canada, saying, 'When we were in Canada, I had three conversations with my grandmother and two conversations with my father before he stopped taking my calls… I went to all the places which I thought I should go to ask for help. We both did. Separately and together.' Michelle Obama on being 'glad' she didn't have a son: 'He would've been a Barack Obama' March 30, 2020: One day before they officially step down from their royal duties, the couple posts on their @SussexRoyal Instagram account to announce it will no longer be in use. 'While you may not see us here, the work continues… Until then, please take good care of yourselves and one another,' their final post said. July 2020: A few months after officially leaving their royal duties, Markle and Harry moved into a nine-bedroom mansion that was reportedly purchased for $14 million. Anne Burrell gave Bobby Flay a gift that he'll 'have forever' One source told 'They were craving a smaller community and a slower pace — Montecito is very mellow, a charming little town, and the Santa Barbara [area] offers an ideal lifestyle that they're looking forward to.' The couple also announced partnerships with Spotify and Netflix. March 7, 2021: Nearly one year after the couple stepped down from the Royal Family, they sit down with Oprah Winfrey to talk about their time as working royals and what they have experienced since then. During that interview, Meghan revealed that, within the Royal Family, there were 'concerns and conversations about how dark [Archie's] skin might be when he's born.' She also spoke about 'being silenced' by the family, saying she was told to give a 'no comment' on questions that were directed toward her once her relationship with Harry became public. Markle told Winfrey, 'That was really hard to reconcile because it was only once we were married and everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected, but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family. They weren't willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband.' June 2 through June 5, 2022: The Queen was celebrated for her 70-year reign with parades, a concert and more. Markle and Harry traveled from their home in California to the United Kingdom for her Jubilee, but they weren't seen in public spending time with immediate family members. On June 3, Harry and Markle attended the service of thanksgiving that honored Queen Elizabeth, and sat in the second row with Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice and their husbands. Ariana Grande mourns death of 'beloved' grandmother September 10, 2022: After the death of Queen Elizabeth, Markle and Harry joined Prince William and Kate Middleton to greet mourners at Windsor Castle. According to one of PEOPLE's royal sources, William believed that this was 'an important show of unity at an incredibly difficult time for the family.' Once King Charles became the monarch, Archie and Lilibet, the couple's children, were entitled to royal titles, but no changes were announced. December 8, 2022: The 'Harry & Meghan' docuseries is released, with the first three episodes focusing on their early relationship and royal life. 'Most of the time that I was in the U.K., I rarely wore color. There was thought in that,' Markle said, saying she didn't want to stand out. Harry also talked about the press, saying they eventually had to take legal action against Associated Newspapers because a private letter that Meghan wrote to her father was published. Markle said that the stress from that situation caused her to have a miscarriage. Harry said, 'I believe my wife suffered a miscarriage because of what the Mail did. I watched the whole thing. Now, do we absolutely know that the miscarriage was created… caused by that? Of course we don't… [but] bearing in mind the stress that caused the lack of sleep and the timing of the pregnancy, how many weeks in she was, I can say from what I saw, that miscarriage was created by what they were trying to do to her.' December 15, 2022: During the last three episodes of the docuseries, Harry claimed that William had a 'terrifying' argument with William and King Charles during the Sandringham Summit. 'It was terrifying to have my brother scream and shout at me, and my father say things that simply weren't true, and my grandmother quietly sit there and sort of take it all in,' Harry said. Mariah Carey trolls popular YouTuber MrBeast: 'I don't know him' January 2, 2023: Prince Harry sits down with Anderson Cooper and says he won't ever return as a full-time member of the Royal Family. Harry was later asked if he would attend King Charles' Coronation if he were invited. He said, 'There's a lot that can happen between now and then. But the door is always open. The ball is in their court. There's a lot to be discussed, and I really hope that they're willing to sit down and talk about it.' March 1, 2023: Markle and Harry are asked to move out of Frogmore Cottage. A source told that the couple wasn't trying to fight the decision because they were happy raising their children in California. April 12, 2023: Buckingham Palace announces that Prince Harry will be at the Coronation of King Charles without Markle or his children. The statement said, 'Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that The Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6th May. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.' Dolly Parton to receive honorary Oscar for humanitarian work June 2023: Prince Harry and Markle officially leave Frogmore Cottage, according to Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse. Stevens said, 'We can confirm that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have vacated Frogmore Cottage. The Duke and Duchess have repaid the expenditure incurred by the Sovereign Grant in relation to the renovation of Frogmore Cottage, thus leaving the Crown with a greatly enhanced asset.' February 2024: Following King Charles' cancer diagnosis, The Associated Press revealed that he had a brief reunion with Prince Harry. Harry was in London less than a day after Buckingham Palace announced his diagnosis. Streaming viewership overtakes cable and broadcast for first time March 2024: Kate Middleton announces that she is also struggling with a cancer diagnosis, and according to NewsNation's Paula Froelich, Harry and Markle were denied a visit with her. The source said there was 'no way Kate or William would allow them a private audience.' January 2025: Harry is given $12.3 million for his case against The Sun, which admitted to hacking him and apologized to him. His lawyer said, 'In a monumental victory today, News UK admitted that the Sun, the flagship title for Rupert Murdoch's U.K. media empire, has indeed engaged in illegal practices.' April 2025: Froelich is told exclusively that the rift between Harry and King Charles is widening as Charles allegedly refused to see Harry while he was in the U.K. What is Ryan Reynolds' net worth? 'There was a window where King Charles and Harry could have met, but they didn't,' the insider revealed. They also said that it was King Charles who chose not to meet. '(King Charles) is very upset over Harry's insistence on fighting the government for police protection. He feels Harry knew what he signed up for when he and Meghan left the monarchy, but Harry being Harry just can't accept it.' Harry lost his appeal to restore the U.K. government-funded security detail at the beginning of May. June 2025: The couple is still living in Montecito, with Markle recently rejoining Instagram and sharing a video (that has now gone viral) of her and Harry dancing in the delivery room as they awaited the arrival of Princess Lilibet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Meghan Markle announces As Ever rosé with release date imminent

Meghan Markle is expanding her As Ever brand with its first alcoholic offering. On her company's website on Friday, the Duchess of Sussex announced the release of a rosé wine. The news came as the company restocked some of its products after its initial launch in April when everything sold old in less than an hour. 'With soft notes of stone fruit, gentle minerality and a lasting finish, this bespoke blend is launching just in time for summer entertaining,' a description for the rosé reads. More details will be released before the wine is available for purchase on July 1 at 11am ET. As Ever's re-launch on Friday also introduced two new products, a $28 Limited-Edition Orange Blossom Honey and a $9 Apricot Spread. The spread, which comes after Meghan released her viral raspberry jam, is also sold in a Keepsake Packaging for $14. However, it quickly sold out. 'Our Apricot Spread is made with gorgeous fruit and a touch of sweetness, letting the apricot's bright flavor shine,' a description for the new product reads. 'The smooth texture and gentle tartness pair beautifully with everything from toast to cheese boards.' Unfortunately, the new honey is also sold out. Meghan also restocked some of the products she sold back in April. This includes her $15 Flower Sprinkles, $14 Crepe Mix, $14 Shortbread Cookie Mix with Flower Sprinkles, and $12 Herbal Teas, which come in three flavors: hibiscus, lemon ginger, and peppermint. However, all three tea flavors all already sold out. While Meghan didn't restock her $9 Rasberry Spread, it will be coming soon to fans, according to As Ever's website. On June 16, Meghan announced that As Ever was launching the new products. 'Oh yes, honey…sweet things await. Mark your calendars for June 20 at 8 a.m. PT - we're bringing back your favorites, plus some delicious surprises you won't want to miss!' she wrote on Instagram. She's also noted that her company is still expanding. During an interview with Fast Company in May, she said she's planning to 'assess' new avenues for her brand, with more As Ever products to be announced during the first quarter of 2026. 'I want to really focus on the hospitality angle of As Ever, but as we take the learnings, we can understand what the customer's needs are seasonally,' she said. 'My heart is very deeply in my home. Everything comes from being rooted in the love story of your home and garden, and then you can imagine different verticals coming out of that.' Asked whether she might explore moving into clothing one day, Meghan responded: 'Fashion is a category I plan to explore down the line because I find it to be an intriguing space for me.' In April, Meghan also offered a special deal to customers who bought products from her business after everything was already out of stock. On X at the time, one fan shared the email they got from As Ever, where they learned that they weren't getting the limited-edition honey they paid for. Instead, they were getting a full refund. However, the customers involved in the business snafu were still receiving an item of their choosing for free. Megahn also sent a signed message and apology to customers who bought an As Ever product after it sold out. 'When our next limited edition item drop happens, you won't just be the first to be the first to receive it,' the duchess wrote in her note at the time. 'No need to order, it will come to you in the mail as a gift from me. Thank you again for your understanding and support, and for continuing to celebrate us during the exciting time of launch.'

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Meghan Markle Reacts to As Ever Restock Selling Out Again

Meghan Markle's second collection of products from her As ever brand sold out on the first day of availability, and she reacted on Instagram Fans still have a chance to purchase the brand's first-ever alcohol product, As ever rosé, which will be available on July 1 As ever's first line of food items sold out in under an hour on April 2Meghan Markle is heading into the weekend on a high note. The Duchess of Sussex's As ever brand had its second-ever drop of products on Friday, June 20, restocking teas, flower sprinkles and other items that sold out in under an hour when they debuted on April 2. But once again, the products sold out. A post on As ever's Instagram page said, "Cheers, dears! Wishing you a wonderful weekend! You've certainly made ours wonderful. We sold out…again!" Meghan, 43, reacted to the news by sharing the post on her personal Instagram page with the note, "Sip sip hooray!" along with a sun emoji. Just hours earlier, the Duchess of Sussex shared a video to her Instagram Stories encouraging anyone debating a purchase to act fast. "We spent so much time making sure we had so much more inventory, that's why we took the time, and you guys are doing it again," she said. "We're nearly sold out on everything, and I can't believe it." Meghan added that even flower sprinkles, which she made sure to have extra inventory of, were almost sold out at the time. "Thanks, everybody!" she said at the end of the clip. For those who missed out, there's another chance to own a piece of As ever in the coming weeks. Along with Friday's product drop came the announcement of Meghan's first-ever alcoholic offering from the brand. A rosé wine from Napa Valley will go on sale July 1 at 8 a.m. PT/11 a.m. ET. According to the product description, "With soft notes of stone fruit, gentle minerality and a lasting finish, this bespoke blend is launching just in time for summer entertaining." In addition to favorites from the debut drop, As ever's second batch of products included two new items: an apricot spread and orange blossom honey. The apricot spread, which sold out at $9 for the jar or $14 for the jar in keepsake packaging, "balances a delicate sweetness and a gentle brightness that lets this beautiful stone fruit shine," according to the product's description. "Spoon it over yogurt, swipe it onto toast or nestle it into a cake," the description continues. "Beautifully packaged in our signature glass jar with our emblematic brushed gold lid, this delightful addition to your home is presented in keepsake packaging that is crafted to look beautiful on any counter or kitchen shelf." The orange blossom honey, which sold for for $28, boasts a "beautiful golden hue, an enticing aroma, delicate floral notes and subtle citrus undertones." Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! The other products included in the sold-out summer sale were herbal hibiscus tea ($12), herbal lemon ginger tea ($12), herbal peppermint tea ($12), crepe baking mix ($14), shortbread cookie mix ($14) and flower sprinkles ($15). Read the original article on People