Prince Harry has opened up about building his confidence and improving his mental well-being following his mother Princess Dianas tragic death in 1997.
The 31-year-old royal spoke at a youth mentor training event at Mackie Academy in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire – which is part of The Diana Award set up in memory of his mother – who died at the age of 36 in a car crash alongside Dodi Fayed in Paris of August 1997. Harry was just 12 years old at the time.
Harry – who pursued a career in the military from 2005 until 2015 when he retired to concentrate on his royal duties – divulged some intimate thoughts while sitting in a circle with mentors and trainees during the visit on Tuesday (20 September).
He claimed that his Colour Sergeant from his 2005 entry to Sandhurst military academy – who became his mentor – credited him with giving him the confidence to look forward.
The third in line to the throne said: He said: I was at a stage in my life when I was probably lacking a bit in guidance. I lost my mum when I was very young and suddenly I was surrounded by a huge number of men in the army.
He was someone who teased me at the right moments and gave me the confidence to look forward, to actually have that confidence in yourself to know who you are and to push forward and try to help others.
The prince would not disclose the sergeant-in-questions name, however, as he wouldnt want me to.
Harry – a passionate campaigner of HIV awareness in the wake of his mothers legacy – met with 60 youngsters who are training to become mentors in their schools.
He also met and spent time with recipients of The Diana Award – including 17-year-old Jamie McIntosh from Edinburgh – who received the award for writing a book with the aim of helping teenagers cope with grief after the death of his mother to breast cancer.
The prince credited the youngster for attempting to help others with his book. He said: Thats whats it all about, its trying to stop other kids in your position having to go through what you had to go through and now your book is going to help everyone around you.
If anybody around me ever has any grief, especially close family, you feel as though you can help because youve got the experience and thats what mentoring is all about, he added.
And it appears as though Harrys visit went down a treat with pupils, as they cheered and high-fived the prince at the end of his visit. He was even gifted a signed Denis Law Scotland football shirt upon his departure.
RGU principal Ferdinand Von Prondzynski said: Its a really good day for the university but also for Aberdeen, because this is about creating a sense of community, particularly in less advantaged communities.
