Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, finds himself at the center of a legal battle that has reportedly left him and his wife, Meghan Markle, anxious about the potential ramifications for their residency in the United States. The controversy stems from Harry's US visa application, now under the microscope due to admissions of past drug use he made in his 2023 memoir, "Spare."
The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, has initiated legal proceedings demanding the public release of Harry's visa application details, specifically his responses to questions regarding drug use. The case, set to be tried in Washington D.C., seeks to uncover whether the Duke received preferential treatment during his application process, potentially allowing him to reside in the US under what the foundation claims could be "false pretences."
Royal commentator Tom Quinn expressed concern over the situation, suggesting that the case could pose significant problems for Prince Harry. "He is so used to living in a world where the normal rules don't apply to him because he's a member of the royal family," Quinn told the Daily Express. "We are not going to know until the judge makes some kind of a decision, but Harry and Meghan will be having sleepless nights over this."
The case's outcome could have serious implications for Harry's status in the US, potentially revealing whether he was truthful about his past drug use in his visa application.
The legal battle has sparked widespread interest, with Nile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at The Heritage Foundation, accusing the Department of Homeland Security of lacking transparency. The organization argues that Harry forfeited his right to privacy regarding his visa application by publicly discussing his drug use in his memoir.
The case does not directly challenge Harry's right to stay in the US but rather questions the Department of Homeland Security's obligation to disclose his visa application responses. The Heritage Foundation asserts that Harry's royal status may have afforded him special treatment, a privilege they argue would not extend to non-royal individuals facing similar circumstances.
Quinn speculated that the case could reveal whether Harry acknowledged his drug use in his application. "It is possible that he did tick the box and again because it's all a long time ago, assumed that it would not affect his application," Quinn stated, highlighting the potential for the case to set a precedent regarding transparency and fairness in visa applications.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly endure "sleepless nights," awaiting a decision that could impact their lives in the US. The case not only scrutinizes Harry's personal history but also raises broader questions about the treatment of high-profile individuals within the immigration system.
