Three revelations in Prince Harry and Meghan’s Heart of Invictus Netflix doc – and how claims hold up to scrutiny
PRINCE Harry and Meghan’s Heart of Invictus Netflix documentary includes a number of new claims and revelations.
The five-part show exploring the lives of injured and ill military veterans was released at 8am earlier today.
The documentary largely focuses on those competing in the Paralympic-style event, but also includes appearances from the Duke of Sussex throughout.
Harry, who created the competition in 2014, is asked about his own military experience in Afghanistan, its impact and his family.
Claims no one helped him with mental health struggles
The duke claims he did not have a support network following the death of his mother Princess Diana.
Harry revealed he was left “lying in the foetal position and “bouncing off walls” upon his return from Afghanistan.
He said: “The biggest struggle for me was that no one around me could really help.
“I didn’t have that support structure that network or that expert advice to identify what was actually going on with me.
“Unfortunately like most of us, the first time you really consider therapy is when you’re lying on the floor in the foetal position probably wishing that you dealt with some of this stuff previously.”
But his brother Prince William urged him to get therapy in 2017.
At the time, Harry told Bryony Gordon, of the Mad World podcast: “It’s all about timing. And for me personally, my brother, you know, bless him, he was a huge support to me.
“He kept saying this is not right, this is not normal, you need to talk to [someone] about stuff, it’s OK.”
Royal biographer Angela Levin also told The Sun: “Harry’s claims about his own mental health – I mean he spoke to me in 2017 about how he was and he kept burying it in the sand.
“William however tried for a long time to get him to go and see somebody.”
Extreme nerves before red carpet event
Harry told of his nerves as he and Meghan headed to the Invictus Games ceremony.
In one clip, the duke tells his wife: “We haven’t done this for a while.”
Meghan replies: “I know.”
Harry then says: “My heart’s like ‘digydigydigy’.”
Body language expert Judi James confirmed Harry appeared nervous as he prepared for the red carpet event.
She told The Sun: “Here the couple are keen for us to get a glimpse of the real deal though, which was the anxiety running behind the red carpet glamour and Hollywood smiles.
“Harry was actually not just nervous but very very nervous.”
Judi also said Meghan was “dripping with reassurance and affection” her husband leaned on her for support.
What triggered his mental health to unravel
Harry revealed how the trigger for his own mental health struggles was his return from Afghanistan in 2011.
He told the documentary: “I can only speak from my personal experience – my tour of Afghanistan in 2011 flying Apaches.
“Somewhere after that there was an unravelling and the trigger to me was returning from Afghanistan.”
But Ms Levin said she believes Harry thinks he is “far too superior” to need any help.
She added: “He was very grandiose because in the show he doesn’t travel to do any interviews.
“He does feel he’s very grandiose and that’s ironic because he’s now a normal member of society.
“His mental analysis is that he’s far too superior to need anyone.”