Prince Harry admits to feeling ‘lost, betrayed’ and ‘completely powerless’ during emotive speech

The Duke of Sussex made the powerful admission during a keynote address at the InterEdge Summit in Melbourne

rince Harry has delivered one of his most emotionally candid speeches to date, revealing he has felt “lost, betrayed, or completely powerless” at various points throughout his life.

The Duke of Sussex made the powerful admission during a keynote address at the InterEdge Summit in Melbourne, where he spoke on leadership, psychosocial safety and human connection in the workplace, with Meghan Markle watching from the audience.

Standing on stage at the Centrepiece conference venue, Harry struck a deeply personal tone as he reflected on the emotional toll of life lived under intense public scrutiny.

prince harry interedge summit — Prince Harry gave an emotional speech in Melbourne

“When I was invited to speak at this summit, I wasn’t sure whether I was expected to speak as someone who, despite everything, has their s*** together,” he told attendees. “Or as someone who, despite what it may look like, actually doesn’t have his s*** together.”

He continued: “But I was struck by something quite simple, that while my experiences may be unusual, the feelings that come with them are not.” In a room filled with business leaders and delegates, Harry spoke openly about grief, pressure and the lasting impact of early life experiences, acknowledging the challenges of growing up in the public eye.”

The royal also spoke about how he experienced grief in the wake of the death of his mother, the late Princess Diana, at one point saying he “didn’t want” his royal role. “In my experience, loss is disorienting at any age,” he said. “Grief does not disappear because we ignore it. Experiencing that as a kid while in a goldfish bowl under constant surveillance, yes, that will have its challenges. And without purpose, it can break you.”

prince harry speaking summit — The Duke opened up about feeling “lost” and “betrayed”

The duke did not shy away from describing the intensity of those moments, admitting: “There have been many times when I’ve felt overwhelmed. Times when I’ve felt lost, betrayed, or completely powerless. Times when the pressure – externally and internally – felt constant.”

See more of Meghan and Harry’s Australia tour below…

He added that for years, he coped by shutting down emotionally. “For many years, I was numb to it, and perhaps that was easier then, but I also didn’t yet have the tools to deal with it.” The speech, which formed part of a “transformative” two-day summit focused on leadership and wellbeing, appeared to resonate strongly with the audience, many of whom are navigating similar pressures in their own professional lives.

Harry emphasised that becoming a father marked a significant turning point, shifting his perspective on emotional wellbeing and responsibility. “When a parent is overwhelmed, children feel it. When someone is supported, families feel it,” he said. “For me, one of the biggest shifts came when I realised that asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s very much a form of strength.”

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet wearing Mickey/Minnie Mouse caps — Harry is a dad to kids Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet

The duke also acknowledged the wider global climate, noting that many people are currently feeling “anxious, stressed, helpless, powerless and completely overwhelmed,” reinforcing his belief that emotional openness is essential in both personal and professional spaces.

prince harry meghan markle melbourne — Harry and Meghan have been busy on their whirlwind Australia tour

Tickets for the summit ranged from £525 for standard delegates to £1,250 for platinum access, with a virtual pass available for those wanting to watch his speech on demand. Despite the high-profile appearance, it is understood that Harry was not paid a fee for his address.

His remarks come amid a busy Australian visit for the couple, which has included a series of public engagements and media appearances, with Meghan also recently filming a guest appearance on MasterChef Australia.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s emotional last day in Australia – see best photos

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle traveled to Australia on a four-day trip to attend both “philanthropic” and “business” engagements

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle began the final day of their whirlwind Australian tour by meeting the survivors and first responders of the horrific Bondi Beach terror attack that occurred on December 14, 2025.

The couple arrived at Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club on Friday morning, where they spoke to survivors Jessica Chapnik Khan and Elon Zizer.

Jessica shared that it was an “honor” to meet the couple, before adding: “The greater problem in the world right now is hate. Hate is a human problem that we’re facing, a very big problem. So to highlight that, to be able to connect with them on this heart level, I think is very special.”

Elon agreed that Harry and Meghan’s visit was “very special” and “makes us feel heard”.

Harry wore black trousers and a blue shirt, while his wife sported cream-colored pants and a striped navy and white button-up shirt that was tied at the front from Sydney-based label Matteau.

Touching tribute

Meghan and Harry were then introduced to the senior curator of the Sydney Jewish Museum, Shannon Biederman, who showed them several artifacts from the newest exhibition, and shared that their visit was “really special”.

“I’m really grateful for them coming out,” Shannon added. “It’s been a really challenging time for the community and all of these expressions of unity and support are greatly appreciated.”

The Bondi shooting, which was named the worst terror attack in Australia’s history, saw two gunmen open fire on a group of Jewish people celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach on December 14. Fifteen people lost their lives in the attack, and dozens were injured as a result.

After their visit to the famed beach, Meghan and Harry went on to join members of the Invictus Games community on a boat ride around Sydney Harbor.

Beachside

The Duchess will then head into the city to attend the Her Best Life retreat as the event’s guest speaker.

Their trip to Australia will conclude on Friday evening with an appearance at a rugby game between the New South Wales Waratahs and Moana Pasifika.

Meghan was enthusiastically greeted by a local dog at Bondi Beach.

Sight-seeing

The Duke and Duchess were greeted by hordes of supporters as they arrived at the Sydney Opera House, located on the city’s stunning harbor. The mother of two laughed as she received a special gift in the form of black flip flops emblazoned with the words “G’Day Megs”.

Harry shared a sweet moment with a young girl as he twirled her around and Meghan watched on in delight.

prince harry meghan markle sydney opera house

The duo enjoyed the Sydney sunshine on Friday morning.

Setting sail

They then set sail on Sydney Harbor with members of the Invictus Australia crew.

Harry founded the Invictus Games, a multi-sport event for wounded, sick or injured armed forces personnel and veterans, in 2014.

Harry was inspired to launch the Invictus Games after seeing the British team compete at the US Warrior Games in 2012.

Post Views: 338

Step into a world dedicated entirely to man's best friend - dogs. Our website is a treasure trove of heartwarming news, touching stories, and inspiring narratives centered around these incredible creatures.
We invite you to join us in spreading the joy. Share our posts, stories, and articles with your friends, extending the warmth and inspiration to every corner.With a simple click, you can be part of this movement.