A royal expert described Prince Harry as a “vulnerable lad.” He also reportedly looks at Meghan Markle for “strength” and a “way out” of “something he felt trapped in” years after the death of Princess Diana.

Express UK said the claims were from historian Dr. Tessa Dunlop, who talked about the former working royals in a recent engagement with “Palace Confidential.” As noted, she asserted that the death of the Princess of Wales in 1997 “scarred” her youngest son.

The expert reportedly began by talking about the 25th anniversary of the late royal’s passing. She is said to have emphasized that the public needs to “remember the horror that underlay” the tragic event.

Elsewhere in the exchange, Dr. Dunlop is reported to have touched on the subject of the biography about Queen Elizabeth that went into publication a couple of years before Princess Diana passed away. She is noted to have claimed that the tone of the material was “anti-Diana.”

The royal expert reportedly went on to assert that “families are complicated,” adding that Prince Harry is a “vulnerable lad.” She is said to have added that the passing of his mother “scarred” him from that time in his life.

In the end, the outlet noted that Dr. Dunlop believes the Duke of Sussex now “looks” to his wife, Meghan Markle “for a way out of something that he [is] trapped in.” She reportedly added that the royal-born Prince also relies on the former actress for “strength” and “resourcefulness.”

The claims come amid Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s return to the United Kingdom for the charities “close to their hearts.”

Reports said the former working royals flew in over the weekend, ahead of their official activities across Europe. Sources also claimed they are not with their two children, who previously joined them at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier in June, according to Harper's Bazaar.

On Monday, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appeared at the One Young World Summit in Manchester. It marked their first joint working visit to the U.K. since they stepped down from their royal posts in 2020, according to People.

The magazine reported that the two former working royals participated in a private round table on gender equality earlier in the day. The engagement occurred before the Duchess of Sussex delivered the keynote address at the summit’s opening ceremony.

Meanwhile, body language pro Judi James shared some thoughts about how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared at Monday's ceremony.

Speaking to Express UK, the expert shared that Meghan Markle’s body language had “no hint… of any anxiety or even subliminal resentment” about their return to the country. 

As for Prince Harry, James asserted that his actions at the event suggested that he “might have felt more ill at ease” than his wife.