Prince William’s reaction to Prince Harry’s panic attack left his younger brother “devastated”, according to Harry’s memoir, Spare.
The Duke of Sussex detailed an incident where he felt his elder brother didn’t take his mental health struggles seriously.
Harry wrote about a time in 2015 when public speaking became a challenge due to his high anxiety levels.
Despite being used to addressing large crowds as part of his royal duties, he found himself unable to do so because of crippling panic attacks.
He described the fear that would consume him before public appearances, leaving him “hours before a speech or public appearance I’d be soaked in sweat” and “be unable to think, my mind buzzing with fear”.
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Harry went through a time when he tried to avoid public speaking and limit his public appearances. However, there was an instance where he had no choice but to face his fear and deliver a speech.
Despite feeling like he was about to faint during the speech, Harry managed to pull it off but once he was off stage, he was drenched in sweat.
William then reportedly teased him about his sweaty state, which Harry found insensitive.
His older brother approached him, laughing: “‘Harold! Look at you! You’re drenched!’ I couldn’t fathom his reaction. Him of all people. He’d been present for my very first panic attack. With Kate… And now he was teasing me? I couldn’t imagine how he could be so insensitive,” Harry wrote.
Mental health charity Mind suggests that if someone is having a panic attack, you should encourage them to breathe slowly and deeply.
The charity also recommends distracting them with a repetitive task like stamping their feet or counting.
It advises taking the person to a quiet place where they can focus on their breathing.
Asking directly how you can help can make them feel more in control, the charity adds.
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