Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has offered a glimpse into his personal struggles and the role the beloved American sitcom “Friends” played in helping him cope with “terrifying panic attacks” during a challenging period in his life. In his forthcoming memoir, titled “Spare,” Harry shares a poignant connection to the character Chandler Bing, portrayed by the late Matthew Perry, who sadly passed away on October 28.
The Duke candidly reveals that he was going through a “rough patch” marked by “debilitating bouts of lethargy” and “terrifying panic attacks,” which hindered his ability to fulfill his royal duties back in 2013.
Desperate for answers and relief, Harry turned to the internet for self-diagnosis, inputting his symptoms into Google in the hope of pinpointing the cause of his distress. Reflecting on the experience, he now believes that he was grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition he had observed among his fellow soldiers during his military service.
Harry’s panic attacks became so severe that he felt compelled to remain at home, unable to venture out. During these challenging moments, he found solace in the popular TV show “Friends.” He describes how he would “sit back, order food, and watch [the TV show] 24… or Friends.”
The Duke admitted to having watched what seemed like every episode of “Friends,” a show that spanned an impressive 10 seasons. He ultimately realized that he related most to the character Chandler.
In a surprising revelation, Prince Harry shared that he had a crush on Courteney Cox, the actress who portrayed Monica Geller in the show, a character who eventually marries Chandler Bing.
In a lighthearted anecdote, Harry recalled an amusing incident from 2016 when he ended up staying at Courteney Cox’s house, quipping, “I found the idea of crashing at Monica’s highly appealing and amusing.” He humorously added, “I was still confused because… she was Monica. And I was a Chandler. I wondered if I’d ever work up the courage to tell her. Was there enough tequila in California to get me that brave?”
Prince Harry’s candid reflection on the therapeutic role of “Friends” in his life sheds light on the power of popular culture to provide comfort and solace during challenging times, even for those in the public eye. His forthcoming memoir promises to offer readers a deeper understanding of his personal journey and the resilience he displayed in the face of adversity.
