Prince Harry References Loss of Loved Ones in Nigeria

Prince Harry has told school children in Nigeria that there is "no shame" in being able to "acknowledge that today is a bad day," and referenced the loss of family members in an attempt to end the stigma surrounding mental health.

Harry and wife, Meghan Markle, are in Nigeria as part of a three-day visit connected with the Invictus Games, the international sporting event for wounded veterans founded by the prince.

After arriving in the city of Abuja on Friday, the royal couple headed to the Lightway Academy to meet young people who have been supported by their charitable Archewell Foundation.

The event and Harry's speech referencing family loss comes as he spent three days in Britain this week for an Invictus Games service, raising speculation over whether he would meet with any of his own family members.

On the day of his arrival in Britain on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the prince shut down claims he would meet with his father, King Charles III, who was recently diagnosed with cancer, stating that this was "due to His Majesty's full program."

The ongoing tensions between California-based Harry and King Charles and Prince William in Britain continue to make headlines around the world.

During their visit to the Lightway Academy in Abuja, both Harry and Meghan took to the stage to speak to the children about the importance of mental health awareness and speaking about emotions.

"In some places around the world, more than you would believe, there is a stigma against mental health," Harry said.

"Too many people don't want to talk about it because it's invisible, it's in your mind and we can't see. It's not like a broken leg, it's not like a broken wrist, it is something we are still relatively unsure of. But guess what? every single person in this room, youngest to oldest, every single person has mental health.

"So, therefore, you have to look after yourself in order to be able to help other people, other people have to look after themselves in order to be able to look after you. That's the way it works."

The prince went on to discuss the "shame" and stigma surrounding mental health, stressing the importance of acknowledging "bad" days which can be caused by anything from stress to the loss of loved ones.

"There is no shame to be able to acknowledge that today is a bad day. If you woke up this morning feeling sad, if you left school feeling stressed, if you've lost a loved one in your family who you usually turn to or speak to, all of these things you may be led to believe are not for conversation," he said. "We are here today to tell you that is not the case.

"Every single one of those things is completely normal. It is a human reaction, whether it's grief, stress, whatever the feeling is it comes from the experiences you have had … every single one of us is likely to have it on any given day. So, if you take anything away from today just know that mental health affects every single person in the entire world."

Harry's reference to family loss not only draws attention to the strained state of relations he has with his family back in Britain, but also to the enduring grief he has expressed at the loss of his mother, Princess Diana, who died when he was just 12 years old in 1997.

Diana paid her own visit to Nigeria back in 1990 alongside her then husband, Charles.

During his stay in the country with Meghan, Harry will undertake a series of visits and events connected with his veterans sporting event, the Invictus Games. They will also attend receptions and meet with officials.

James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.

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