During the interview with trauma expert Gabor Maté, Harry said the lack of hugs he experienced growing up was “a mistake”. He added that if he did not hug his own children – Archie and Lilibet – it would have a “similar” impact on them as he experienced growing up. The pair were holding a frank discussion about trauma and healing in an interview to promote Harry’s memoir Spare.
The Duke of Sussex told Maté: “I as a father feel a huge responsibility to ensure that I don’t pass on any traumas, events or negative experiences that I’ve had as a kid or as a man growing up.
“And that’s putting in the work. And that’s daily being conscious of my behaviour, my reactions to both of my kids, but there are times when I catch myself in a moment where I should be smothering them with that love.”
Maté discussed sections in Harry’s memoir Spare which described a lack of physical warmth in the Royal Family.
He said: “When you come back from Afghanistan, after your stint in the military, you’re greeted by your father and your brother and your brother maybe hugs you.
“You’re not sure, you can’t quite remember, your dad touches you on the shoulder. And you said to everybody, this looks like a normal family interaction but he was an unprecedented expression of affection.”
More to follow…
