"It was like living in a zoo" - Prince Harry thought of leaving royal duties in early 20s

Prince Harry opened up about royal life on the latest episode of Dax Shepard's 'Armchair Expert' podcast. 

In the podcast, Harry revealed that he first thought about leaving his royal duties behind in his early 20s.

READ: Four things Meghan and Harry shocked the world with in tell-all interview

In January 2020, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle stepped down as active royals and have since moved to the United States to set up a new life with their son, Archie. 

After stepping down and moving to Los Angeles, the royal couple sat down with media mogul Oprah Winfrey for a tell-all interview.

READ: "It left a huge hole inside me" - Prince Harry opens up after losing his mother

Markle, and Harry, opened up about racism within the royal family, Archie not receiving a royal title, struggling with mental health, and Prince Charles cutting ties with Harry. 

During another interview with Dax Shepard, Harry revealed that his royal life was like "living in a zoo".

READ: "It was destroying my mental health" - Prince Harry reveals why he left Britain

"I don't want this job. I don't want to be here. I don't want to be doing this. Look what it did to my mother," Harry recalled thinking at the time of his mother, Princess Diana's death in 1997. 

After 23-years since the tragic death of the beloved Princess, Harry is still feeling the pain and loss of her death. 

"How am I ever going to settle down and have a wife and family, when I know that it's gonna happen again?" Harry continued. 

READ: John Travolta is reminiscing about his iconic dance with Princess Diana

Harry spoke about feeling "helpness" before seeking professional help. 

Harry and Oprah will premiere a television documentary series on mental health issues later this month.

'The Me You Can’t See', co-created and produced by Harry and Winfrey, will feature stories from high-profile celebrity guests and others about mental health and emotional well-being issues. 

READ: Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey join forces for mental health TV series

Winfrey said the series is aimed to replace the shame surrounding mental health with wisdom and compassion. “The majority of us carry some form of unresolved trauma, loss, or grief, which feels - and is - very personal,” Harry said in a statement.

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Image Credit: AFP