Prince Harry Says Princess Diana's Death Left "Huge Hole" Inside Him in a Note to Bereaved Children
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gave their interview to Oprah, they mentioned Princess Diana several times, with Harry even describing how he feels “she's been with us through this whole process.” Now, the Prince has opened up about losing his mother in a moving foreword for a book being released to support bereaved children and young people whose loved ones have died from COVID-19.
Describing how Diana’s death “left a huge hole inside of me,” Harry wrote, “I know how you feel, and I want to assure you that over time that hole will be filled with so much love and support.”
In the foreword, the Prince shares how he was told that when a parent dies “their spirit, their love and the memories of them do not.” He adds: “They are always with you and you can hold onto them forever.”
The book, called Hospital by the Hill, is being released to mark the National Day of Reflection in the UK, on March 23. It is written by Chris Connaughton and illustrated by Fay Troote and tells the story of a young person coming to terms with the loss of their mother, who had been working on the frontline at a hospital. It will be given free to any child or young person in the UK who has been affected. The project was started by Sally Stanley, founder of Hampshire child bereavement support charity Simon Says. It also promotes the services offered by other charities helping families to deal with loss—Child Bereavement UK and Winston’s Wish.
Stanley said about the book: “The idea of a book for children and young people bereaved as a result of Corona virus began in the Spring of 2020 when the number of frontline workers dying became very significant. Being bereaved of a loved one is very difficult at any time in the life of a child or young person. The restrictions that surrounded the close contact of family members during the pandemic make it much harder for them to say goodbye in the way that we are used to.”
Read Prince Harry’s foreword in full below:
If you are reading this book, it’s because you’ve lost your parent or a loved one, and while I wish I was able to hug you right now, I hope this story is able to provide you comfort in knowing that you’re not alone.
When I was a young boy I lost my mum. At the time I didn’t want to believe it or accept it, and it left a huge hole inside of me. I know how you feel, and I want to assure you that over time that hole will be filled with so much love and support. We all cope with loss in a different way, but when a parent goes to heaven, I was told their spirit, their love and the memories of them do not. They are always with you and you can hold onto them forever. I find this to be true.
Now, I never met them, but I know this person was special to you, and they were someone incredibly kind, caring and loving because of where they chose to work. Helping others is one of the most important jobs anyone can ever do.
You may feel alone, you may feel sad, you may feel angry, you may feel bad. This feeling will pass. And I will make a promise to you – you will feel better and stronger once you are ready to talk about how it makes you feel.
I hope this book helps remind you of just how special your parent or loved one was. And how special you are too.
People can request a copy of the book by going online to hospitalbythehill.com.
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