Prince Harry’s U.S. visa records are scheduled for public release today after a court ruled in favor of their disclosure, prompted by concerns over past comments he made.
District Judge Carl Nichols granted the release of Harry’s immigration documents in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, with a deadline set for Tuesday, March 18.
This ruling follows claims by the conservative Heritage Foundation, which suggested that the royal may not have been fully transparent on his visa application—an allegation the U.S. government views with great seriousness.
Why Are Prince Harry’s Visa Records Being Released?
The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank based in Washington, DC, has raised concerns that Prince Harry might have provided misleading information about his past drug use on his U.S. visa application. These worries come from statements he made in his 2023 memoir, Spare.
When applying for a U.S. visa, all applicants must disclose any history of drug use, as failing to do so can result in the rejection of their application.
If it’s determined that someone has submitted false details—an accusation directed at Harry—they could face a permanent ban from entering the U.S.
Prince Harry’s Candid Reflections on Drug Use
In his memoir, Prince Harry opened up about his early experiences with drugs, revealing that he tried cocaine for the first time at the age of 17. He confessed, “It wasn’t particularly enjoyable, and it didn’t bring me the happiness it seemed to give others, but it did make me feel different, and that was what I was after.”
He further elaborated that while cocaine “didn’t have much of an effect” on him, his experience with marijuana was quite different.
“That actually helped me a lot,” Harry shared.
Could Prince Harry Be Forced to Leave the U.S.?
Following their sudden exit from royal duties, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made California their new home—but is their stay secure?
At present, it appears improbable that Harry will be compelled to depart, at least based on remarks from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a recent interview with The New York Post, Trump stated, “I won’t bother him.” He continued, “He’s already dealing with enough issues because of his wife. She’s awful.”
In a GB News interview with Nigel Farage last March, Trump also emphasized that Harry should not receive any special treatment. He remarked, “No. We’ll have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied, they’ll have to take appropriate action.”
CBS News legal expert Jessica Levinson clarified that the central issue isn’t Harry’s past drug use, but whether he was honest about it on his visa application.
“The government has considerable discretion, but simply admitting to drug use typically isn’t a barrier to entering the country,” she explained. “However, lying about drug use can be much more serious and could potentially disqualify him.”
