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Last Updated:March 18, 2025, 18:07 IST
Prince Harry faces scrutiny over his US residency after admitting past drug use. A US court ordered the release of redacted visa documents after a legal battle with the Heritage Foundation
The book also touched on Prince Harry's use of marijuana, a drug he found more helpful, unlike cocaine. (AP File)
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is facing questions about his US residency status following admissions of past drug use in his memoir, ‘Spare’. The Duke, who stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California with his wife, Meghan Markle, has publicly acknowledged using cocaine, marijuana, and psychedelic mushrooms.
A US court has now ordered the release of redacted documents related to Prince Harry’s visa application. The order comes after a lengthy legal battle between the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington DC.
What Is Prince Harry’s Visa Case
The Heritage Foundation filed a freedom of information request, arguing that Prince Harry’s admissions of drug use raised concerns about potential falsehoods on his visa application.
According to a BBC report, Prince Harry’s book, published in January 2023, details his experiences with drugs. He admitted to first trying cocaine at 17, an experience he said didn’t bring him happiness despite seeming to do so for others.
“It wasn’t much fun, and it didn’t make me particularly happy, as it seemed to make everyone around me, but it did make me feel different, and that was the main goal," he was quoted by BBC.
The prince explained he was looking to feel “different." The book also touched on his use of marijuana, a drug he found more helpful, unlike cocaine which he said “didn’t do anything" for him.
US visa applications explicitly inquire about past and present drug use, and dishonesty can lead to application rejection or visa revocation. The Heritage Foundation seeks to determine if Prince Harry was truthful about his drug history and whether he received preferential treatment due to his royal status.
According to BBC, the Department of Homeland Security has until the end of Tuesday to release immigration records, as ordered by the court.
Case Reopened
Initially, a judge ruled in favour of Prince Harry, citing his privacy rights. However, the Heritage Foundation persisted, leading to a partial reversal of the decision. Judge Nichols, overseeing the case, stated, “To the extent possible, I must make public everything that can be made public," prompting the order for redacted documents to be released.
Prince Harry relocated to the US with his wife, Meghan, a US citizen, in 2020 after they stepped back from their roles as senior members of the Royal Family. The specific visa Harry used to enter the US remains unclear.
What Donald Trump Says
While President Donald Trump has the authority to intervene, he has stated he has no intention of pursuing Prince Harry’s deportation. However, he has been publicly critical of both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, particularly Meghan Markle, who has been openly critical of Trump in the past.
Location :United States of America (USA)
First Published:March 18, 2025, 18:07 IST
News world Will Prince Harry's Old Drug Use Confession Result In Deportation From US?
