Prince Harry has opened up about one of the most difficult moments of his life: when, before the eyes of the nation, he had to walk behind his mother’s coffin, in 1997.

 

In a new interview with US magazine Newsweek, the 32-year-old spoke candidly about dealing with the loss of his mother in such a public manner.

 

While the young royal came in for major praise at the time, walking alongside his grandfather, father, uncle Earl Spencer and big brother William, it seems he was struggling more than he showed.

 

“My mother had just died, and I had to walk a long way behind her coffin, surrounded by thousands of people watching me while millions more did on television,” he said.

 

 

“I don’t think any child should be asked to do that, under any circumstances. I don’t think it would happen today.”

 

Prince Harry was just 12 when he lost his mother, in the infamous Paris car crash. Recently, he admitted that he was ‘close to a breakdown’ during his twenties, mainly due to the fact that he had never addressed Diana’s death.

 

He told The Telegraph: “I can safely say that losing my mum at the age of 12, and therefore shutting down all of my emotions for the last 20 years, has had quite serious effect on not only my personal life but my work as well.

 

“I have probably been very close to a complete breakdown on numerous occasions, when all sorts of grief and lies and misconceptions and everything are coming at you from every angle.”

 

 

There has always been much discussion about the line of succession, and while the general consensus is that anyone would jump at the chance to lead the empire, Harry has hinted that this isn’t the case – certainly not for him, anyway.

 

Speaking honestly on the subject, he said: “Is there anyone of the Royal Family who wants to be King or Queen? I don’t think so, but we will carry out our duties at the right time.”

 

“The monarchy is a force for good, and we want to carry on the positive atmosphere that the Queen has achieved for over 60 years, but we won’t be trying to fill her boots.

 

“We are involved in modernising the British monarchy. We are not doing this for ourselves but for the greater good of the people.”

 

Harry is currently loved-up with US actress Meghan Markle, with rumours rife that the royal may be getting ready to pop the question.

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