'He's missing them': Harry's offers candid commentary on mental health and raising Archie and Lilibet at Melbourne event

Prince Harry offered some "down to earth" insight into life as a father to two young children while discussing mental health during an engagement in Melbourne today.

During his stop at the Western Bulldogs AFL headquarters in Footscray, the Duke of Sussex – who is father to Archie, six, and Lilibet, four – dove headfirst into some difficult conversations about parenthood and men's mental health.

"We were talking about becoming a dad and what it means for your health and wellbeing, how to juggle the ideas of modern-day manhood along with the traditional idea of being a provider," Global Director of Research at Movember Dr Zac Seidler told Nine.com.au.

Watch the video above.

"It's something that's really close to his heart.

"I've met him a few times and he continues to bring this topic up about looking after himself, advocating on behalf of other men, to make sure that we break some of this stigma and silence and move towards a world where dads are looking after themselves."

Despite Harry's princely status, Seidler – who spoke to the duke on a fatherhood panel hosted by Movember – said he found him to be just like any other father going through the motions of raising children.

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He described him as a "real down-to-earth guy" who is passionate about mental health advocacy.

"He was talking about the juggle and how important it is to be there as much as he can," Seidler added.

"He's lucky to work from home and the time that he has with his kids is so important to him, so there's no doubt that he's missing them."

Harry told the panel there can be "disconnection" during the early days of fatherhood.

He said he worked through some of this with the help of a therapist.

"I think the biggest tip that I was given, actually, from my therapist in the UK, was just be aware of how you feel once the baby is born," Harry said.

"Every single time I went to work and I came back – if I was stressed, the moment that I held Archie, he would start crying."

The Purple Wiggles, John Pearce and Lachy Gillespie, also enjoyed a glimpse of the duke's musings about fatherhood during the panel at Mission Whitten Oval.

Pearce, who welcomed his own son Henry in 2024, said he found Harry to be relatable instead of intimidating.

"Hearing his story about his journey in fatherhood, we can really relate as dads ourselves. It's a reminder that we all are the same at the end of the day, we all go through the same ups and downs in parenthood," Pearce said.

"It's important to remember that there is support out there and, and to speak to somebody.

"As a man, as a father, you kind take the back seat, and you just keep your emotions to yourself, but it's a good reminder to speak up about it."

Gillessie, also a father to twin girls, agreed Harry's advocacy for Movember helps nudge open the door for vulnerable conversations about men's mental health.

"Dads need to have a community to speak up in," Gillespie said.

"At Wiggles now, we've got so many young dads, myself and Johnny included, there's more babies than there's ever been, so we've got our little community.

"But for dads that might not, it's just so important to remember that you can reach out to someone, and Movember is perfect for that."

Pearce joked that while Harry did not explicitly say his kids were Wiggles fans, he "could see it in his eyes".

The royal was presented with personalised Western Bulldogs miniature shirts with Archie and Lilibet's names printed on the back during his visit.

After sitting on a panel, the former working royal headed to the Bulldogs training field and displayed some of his athleticism during a kick around with players Tom Liberatore, Adam Treloar and Matthew Kennedy.

The duke also enjoyed a kickabout with some of the children, telling one boy, "Good kick, man" and, "It's a slippery ball, that".

The Movember movement, founded in Melbourne in 2003, is a global charity focused on improving men's health, particularly in relation to mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Harry and wife Meghan will continue their Australian visit with a trip to Canberra, before circling back to Melbourne and then heading to Sydney.

- Reported with pool copy

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