In his latest project, Prince William is opening up about the truly transformative experiences in his life, including the loss of his mother, Princess Diana.
Yes, the Duke of Cambridge got very candid while discussing the importance of mental health in a new program for the BBC called Football, Prince William and Our Mental Health. The show, which airs on May 28, will focus on the 37-year-old duke as he speaks with athletes about their own experiences and the negative stigma men often face when it comes to these issues.
In a new preview for the doc released on Tuesday, William and former soccer (known as football in the U.K.) player Marvin Sordell discuss how certain experiences can impact feelings when becoming a parent.
“I became a dad in 2017 for the first time. You know, I found it really tough...I grew up without my father,” Sordell admits in the clip. “I really struggled with my emotions at that time.”
During his conversation with Sordell, who suffered from depression while growing up without a father, the 37-year-old royal recalled the death of his mom, Princess Di.
“Having children is the biggest life-changing moment, it really is,” said William. “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, the emotions come back, in leaps and bounds.”
The upcoming special comes shortly after the U.K.’s Mental Health Awareness Week and is part of the recent campaign, Heads Up, which aims to highlight the power of starting a conversation about mental health and normalizing it with the use of sports.
We love these honest and open moments from Prince William—keep 'em coming.