Harry

Prince Harry reveals army sergeant helped with his 'confidence' after Princess Diana's death

September 20, 2016

Prince Harry has revealed his Colour Sergeant at Sandhurst helped him build his confidence after losing his mother at a young age.

He was speaking at a youth mentor training event at Mackie Academy in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire on Tuesday, as part of The Diana Award set up in memory of his late mother, Princess Diana.

Talking to a group of pupils, the 32-year-old said his Colour Sergeant from his 2005 entry to Sandhurst military academy was his mentor.

© Photo: Getty Images

Prince Harry has revealed his Colour Sergeant at Sandhurst helped him build his confidence after losing his mother

"I was at a stage in my life when I was probably lacking a bit in guidance," he explained. "I lost my mum when I was very young and suddenly I was surrounded by a huge number of men in the army.

"He was someone who teased me at the right moments and gave me the confidence to look forward, to actually have that confidence in yourself to know who you are and to push forward and try to help others."

Harry was just 12, and his brother William was 15, when Princess Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris on 31 August 1997.

© Photo: Getty Images

The 32-year-old was speaking at a youth mentor training event at Mackie Academy in Aberdeenshire on Tuesday

The royal did not reveal the sergeant's name as "he wouldn't want me to".

He also went on to praise 17-year-old pupil Jamie McIntosh, who received The Diana Award writing a book to help teenagers deal with grief after the death of his mother, Monica, to breast cancer.

"That's what's it all about, it's trying to stop other kids in your position having to go through what you had to go through and now your book is going to help everyone around you," added Harry.

© Photo: Getty Images

Harry was just 12 when Princess Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris on 31 August 1997

"If anybody around me ever has any grief, especially close family, you feel as though you can help because you've got the experience and that's what mentoring is all about."

Meanwhile, the Prince is set to embark on a royal tour to the Caribbean in Autumn this year, he will visit Barbados, St Lucia and Grenada among other locations on behalf of his grandmother, the Queen.

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