The potential return of Donald Trump to the presidency has cast fresh doubts over Prince Harry's residency status in the United States, raising questions about the Duke of Sussex's immigration process following his admission of past drug use in his memoir, Spare. Conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation has been at the forefront of efforts to bring Harry's visa status under scrutiny, and with a Trump-led administration, such challenges are likely to intensify.
The Heritage Foundation's legal dispute centers on whether Prince Harry received special treatment when he was granted a visa. At issue is Harry's open discussion of recreational drug use in his book, which he published in 2023. Immigration law in the U.S. typically requires applicants to disclose any past drug use, a factor that could influence their eligibility for residency or a visa. The organization is pushing for the release of the prince's visa records to determine if full disclosures were made.
"If Harry lied on his immigration application, he would have to leave the United States. That would be a criminal offense and he would be subject to deportation," said Nile Gardiner, director of the Heritage Foundation. The group has already sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for access to Harry's visa documents, though a judge ruled this September that the records should remain confidential. The ruling has not deterred the think tank from appealing the decision, and a Trump presidency could bolster their efforts to bring Harry's case back into the spotlight.
Trump has not hidden his disdain for the Duke of Sussex. "I wouldn't protect him. He betrayed the Queen," Trump reportedly said earlier this year, emphasizing his belief that Prince Harry should not be afforded special privileges in the U.S. The president-elect's critical stance has fueled concerns within the Sussex camp about possible changes to their U.S. residency status under a more conservative administration.
Complicating matters further, Gardiner hinted that a renewed focus on Harry's immigration status could lead to deportation proceedings, especially if evidence emerges that he was less than forthright about his past drug use during his application process. For their part, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly begun exploring contingency plans, including a potential move to Canada, where they previously resided before settling in California.
Legal experts note that while past drug use disclosed on a visa application does not automatically result in denial, it can complicate matters. The context and extent of the disclosures are often critical. U.S. attorney John Bardo, representing DHS, argued in court that statements in Harry's memoir should not be taken as sworn testimony and thus cannot definitively prove any discrepancies.
Nonetheless, Trump's return to the White House may embolden efforts to challenge the prince's residency. "The incoming administration could push for a review of Harry's immigration application," Gardiner suggested. Such actions could subject the Duke to further public scrutiny and potentially force the Sussexes to reconsider their long-term plans in the United States.
Amid these legal wranglings, the couple has also faced social and political backlash on both sides of the Atlantic. Their decision to step back from their roles as senior members of the British Royal Family in 2020 and settle in California has been polarizing. Harry's memoir, in which he revealed personal struggles and took aim at elements of his royal upbringing, has only added fuel to the controversy. For Meghan Markle, who has not returned to the U.K. since the late Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, the prospect of a transatlantic move may carry significant emotional weight.
In the event of deportation, Canada appears to be the most plausible destination for the Sussexes. The country previously welcomed the couple during their brief stay in 2019 and 2020, and sources indicate they may explore immigration options there once again.
European Home Purchase Linked To 'Fear Of Being Deported By Trump
Recent reports suggest that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may have purchased a home in Europe, possibly as an "escape route" in the event that Harry's visa situation in the United States becomes untenable. The timing of this acquisition, speculated by royal watchers, may be directly linked to fears of deportation following Donald Trump's presidential victory and the anticipated conservative push to revisit Harry's immigration status.
According to royal expert Richard Eden, the European property purchase may be part of a broader strategy by the couple to hedge against potential legal challenges in the U.S. "Harry and Meghan seem to be seeking a safety net," Eden noted, hinting at concerns that a Trump-led administration could bring intensified scrutiny over the prince's immigration case. "The timing suggests they're preparing for any scenario," he added.
The decision to explore European residency options also aligns with reports of the couple making efforts to mend relations with the British Royal Family. Insiders have suggested that Harry may make more frequent trips to the U.K. in the coming years, possibly laying the groundwork for alternative living arrangements if the political environment in the U.S. becomes too challenging.
The property, which is reportedly located in a European country with favorable travel arrangements through the Schengen Area, could also provide Meghan Markle with opportunities to seek a "Golden Visa," granting them more extensive travel freedoms across Europe. While these claims remain speculative, the move underscores the couple's efforts to maintain flexibility amid ongoing political and legal uncertainties.
