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Prince William says fatherhood brought back Diana death emotions

Photo credit: Max Mumby/Indigo - Getty Images
Photo credit: Max Mumby/Indigo - Getty Images

From Harper's BAZAAR

The Duke of Cambridge has said that becoming a father triggered an onslaught of emotions he felt after his mother's death when he was 15-years-old.

Prince William told a BBC documentary that feelings of grief from a "traumatic" event can resurface during the period of parenthood. His mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, died in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

The duke described fatherhood as "one of the most amazing moments of life but it's also one of the scariest", before adding that he and wife Kate support each other during difficult times.

Photo credit: Comic Relief - Getty Images
Photo credit: Comic Relief - Getty Images

The royal couple have three children together - Prince George, 6, Princess Charlotte, 5, and Prince Louis, 2.

The film Football, Prince William and our Mental Health examines mental health through the prism of football, and features a discussion between William and former professional footballer Marvin Sordell about the early struggles of fatherhood.

Sordell said he found it difficult to deal with his emotions when he became a parent as his father was absent from his childhood.

William responds: "Having children is the biggest life-changing moment, it really is.

Photo credit: Tim Graham - Getty Images
Photo credit: Tim Graham - Getty Images

"And I agree with you, I think when you've been through something traumatic in life - and that is like you say your dad not being around, my mother dying when I was younger - your emotions come back in leaps and bounds because it's a very different phase of life.

"And there's no one there to, kind of, help you, and I definitely found it very, at times, overwhelming."

Speaking about parenthood, the royal added: "It's one of the most amazing moments of life but it's also one of the scariest."

He added that emotions can "come out of the blue" which you do not expect or think you have already resolved.

The documentary follows William as he meets players and fans from grassroots to the elite of the game and openly discusses their mental health challenges.

Prince William and Harry have spoken about the impact their mother's death has had on their mental health through their Heads Together mental health campaign.

Football, Prince William And Our Mental Health will air on BBC One on Thursday, May 28 at 8.05pm.

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