Princes William, Harry Praised By Mom Diana's Friend For Speaking Openly About Mental Health

Prince William and Prince Harry received praise from a close friend of their mom Princess Diana for talking publicly about their mental health.

Grief counselor Julia Samuel, who is also one of the godmothers of Prince William's son Prince George, opened up about her relationship with Princess Diana during a recent interview with The Guardian.

The 62-year-old best-selling author credited the late royal icon's two sons with positively influencing the public conversation surrounding grief and mental health.

"I think both the princes have really turned the dial on talking about grief so honestly and also about mental health. But that was all theirs, completely off their own bats," said Samuel.

Samuel also detailed her reaction after learning that Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris, France, on Aug. 31, 1997.

"I felt angry," she recalled. "I was angry that she died, and shocked and I couldn't really understand it all. I mean, I understand it better now ... I understand that people felt they really knew and loved her. But I still feel sad today."

When asked about her ties to the royal family, Samuel said she considers her friendship with Princess Diana as the bond that ties her with the members of the Firm. She also expressed her love for her godchild.

"And I really love my godson, George. And it's a lovely way of loving her," she added.

A widely acclaimed pioneer of pediatric psychotherapy, Samuel's books often center around trauma and change. Many have sought her expertise when it came to dealing with grief and bereavement.

"I feel that in some ways, my professional life is completely separate from my friendships and private life. But, of course, nothing is separate. Who I am and who I know is also part of my professional self. And so … That's me," she added.

Both Prince William and Prince Harry are mental health advocates and have been open about their own personal struggles over the years.

The Duke of Cambridge previously shared that his work as an air ambulance helicopter pilot helped inspire him to spread awareness about the importance of supporting mental health and wellbeing, according to People.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry got candid about his mental health journey last year in the Apple TV+ docuseries "The Me You Can't See," which he co-produced with Oprah Winfrey.

The Duke of Sussex revealed that he has been in therapy for four years "to heal myself from the past" and that it was his wife Meghan Markle who encouraged him to seek help.

"I saw doctors, I saw therapists, I saw alternative therapists. I saw all sorts of people," Prince Harry explained. "But it was meeting and being with Meghan, I knew that if I didn't do therapy and fix myself, that I was going to lose this woman who I could see spending the rest of my life with."