Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly "planning their escape route" from the United States, as the Duke of Sussex faces a lawsuit brought by conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation regarding his visa application and past drug use. The royal couple, who moved to the US in 2020 after stepping back from their royal duties, now find themselves in a precarious position as Harry's admissions about his use of drugs in his memoir, "Spare," have prompted a federal judge to review his visa application.
The Heritage Foundation launched the lawsuit against Harry following the release of his tell-all memoir in January 2023, in which he detailed his experiences with magic mushrooms, cannabis, cocaine, and ayahuasca. The think tank filed a Freedom of Information Act request for Harry's immigration documents to determine whether he was open and honest about his past drug use when filling out his visa application.
Speaking on Palace Confidential, The Daily Mail's Richard Eden claimed that Harry "has every reason to be nervous" about the ongoing legal proceedings, according to The Mirror. "As the US presidential election is on the horizon, we know Meghan is not a fan of Donald Trump and that feeling is very much mutual," Eden said. "Trump's enjoyed making suggestions that they won't have such an easy ride if he's president again, so I think Harry has every reason to feel nervous in the USA now, and it would suit him if he's got that escape route back to his homeland."
Eden's comments come in the wake of former US President Donald Trump's exclusive statement to The Daily Mail, in which he declared that he would not protect Harry for betraying his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. The potential for a Trump re-election in 2024 appears to be fueling the Sussexes' fears and prompting them to consider a return to the UK as a backup plan.
In his memoir, Harry vividly described his experiences with psychedelic drugs, writing, "I stared at the bin. It stared back. 'What-staring?' Then it became... a head. I stepped on the pedal and the head opened its mouth. A huge open grin." He also admitted to using other substances, such as cocaine and marijuana, stating, "Psychedelics did me some good as well. I'd experimented with them over the years, for fun, but now I'd begun to use them therapeutically, medicinally. They didn't simply allow me to escape reality for a while."
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's potential plans to return to the UK come as a surprise, given their high-profile departure from the royal family and their subsequent criticism of the institution in various interviews and media appearances. However, the threat of Harry's visa revocation and the looming possibility of a Trump presidency appear to be forcing the couple to reevaluate their long-term plans.
As the legal proceedings surrounding Harry's visa application continue, the royal couple finds themselves in a state of uncertainty. The outcome of the lawsuit and the upcoming US presidential election will likely play a significant role in determining their future residence and the viability of their "escape route" back to the UK.
The Sussexes' predicament highlights the complex nature of their decision to step back from royal life and relocate to the United States. While they sought to escape the scrutiny and pressures of the British monarchy, they now face new challenges in their adopted home, with Harry's past drug use and the shifting political landscape threatening to upend their plans for a fresh start.
