Prince Harry has reportedly received as much as $100,000 for a deeply personal discussion about grief and mental health, during which he revealed that he experienced a two-week period of depression after moving to Canada with Meghan Markle in 2019.

A source close to the Duke of Sussex confirmed that he was paid for the appearance, which was filmed for MasterClass, the online learning platform. However, the source declined to disclose the precise financial arrangements surrounding the session.

The discussion, titled Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss, featured Harry speaking with neuroscientist Dr Mary-Frances O’Connor about grief, emotional well-being and his own experiences during a turbulent period in his life.

According to the Daily Mail, Harry may have received up to $100,000, potentially alongside a share of the platform’s subscription revenue.

Prince Harry appeared on MasterClass to raise awareness on mental health and grief (Image: YouTube/MasterClass)

Harry Opens Up About Depression After Leaving the UK

During the conversation, Harry reflected on his decision to leave Britain with Meghan and their son, Archie, in 2019, explaining that the move to Canada was intended to give the family some distance from the pressures surrounding their lives.

The couple initially settled on Vancouver Island before stepping back from their roles as senior working members of the Royal Family in early 2020. They subsequently moved to the United States.

Harry described how the change in circumstances affected him emotionally, revealing that he struggled when the intense pressure he had experienced began to subside.

“I actually slipped into depression for about two weeks, and I felt like I couldn’t function without adrenaline,” he said.

He also described experiencing an “adrenaline crash” after leaving what he characterised as a stressful environment.

His remarks offered a personal account of the emotional challenges he faced during the period surrounding the couple’s departure from royal duties.

The Duke of Sussex was paid for his appearance (Image: Masterclass)

Questions Over Harry’s MasterClass Fee

News of the payment has drawn attention to the commercial arrangements behind the appearance.

The Daily Mail reported that Harry could have received approximately $100,000 for the session, with the possibility of additional earnings linked to subscription revenue.

A source close to the duke confirmed that he had been paid but said the exact details were not discussed.

The source also urged people to watch the conversation before judging Harry, arguing that he should not be criticised for speaking honestly about his experiences.

The cost of an annual MasterClass membership ranges from £120 to £228, depending on the subscription option.

The Hollywood Reporter has previously reported that instructors on the platform can receive approximately $100,000 upfront, in addition to 30% of the revenue generated by their classes. However, those general figures do not establish the specific terms of Harry’s agreement.

A Personal Conversation About Grief and Resilience

The MasterClass session brought together Harry and Dr Mary-Frances O’Connor to explore grief and the ways people can build resilience through loss.

Rather than focusing solely on his public life, Harry discussed the emotional impact of the circumstances surrounding his move away from Britain and the transition that followed.

His account of struggling without the adrenaline associated with a stressful environment formed a central part of the conversation, highlighting the contrast between living under sustained pressure and adjusting to a dramatically different life.

The appearance also placed Harry’s personal reflections within a broader discussion about mental health, grief and coping with difficult experiences.

While the reported payment has prompted questions about the financial side of the project, the session itself centred on the duke’s willingness to discuss experiences that he says affected his emotional well-being.

For Harry, the conversation offered an opportunity to revisit a significant period in his life while exploring the relationship between grief, resilience and mental health.