A judge in Washington, D.C., directed the U.S. government to disclose redacted segments of Prince Harry’s visa application documents by March 18, 2025. This action was intended to reveal if the Duke of Sussex received preferential treatment or misrepresented details about his past drug use upon entering the United States.
The decision follows a lawsuit by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, which sought access to Prince Harry’s immigration records via Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The foundation argued that Harry’s drug use admissions in his 2023 memoir “Spare” should have barred him from obtaining a U.S. visa, and they aimed to verify if he either lied on his application or received special consideration from the Biden administration.
Previously released court documents related to Prince Harry’s visa application were significantly redacted, with officials citing privacy and potential harassment concerns. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has contended that disclosing Harry’s precise visa status could subject him to “harassment as well as unwanted contact by the media,” as indicated in unsealed court filings.
The mandated disclosure follows a ruling by a judge appointed by former President Donald Trump. The judge decided that portions of Harry’s application must be added to the court docket, although some details will remain redacted.
On March 18, 2025, Prince Harry’s U.S. immigration records were unsealed as per Judge Carl Nichols’ order. The documents, released to the Heritage Foundation in response to their FOIA request, were heavily redacted to safeguard Prince Harry’s privacy, and did not include his actual visa application.
Immigration experts point out that U.S. visa applications require disclosure of current and historical drug use, and admitting past drug use can potentially lead to visa rejections, although immigration officers have discretion in final decisions. Misrepresentation on official forms poses more serious immigration consequences than drug use itself.
In “Spare,” Prince Harry acknowledged using cocaine, marijuana, and psychedelic mushrooms. He detailed experiences of getting high on mushrooms at “Friends” star Courteney Cox’s house and using cocaine at 17 “to feel different.” These admissions underpin the Heritage Foundation’s call for public examination of his visa application.
One explanation could be that Harry holds an A-1 visa, typically designated for diplomats and royals, potentially making drug use considerations irrelevant to his immigration status. However, this has not been verified, and Harry’s exact visa status remains undisclosed to the public.
President Trump has previously indicated he would not deport Harry if re-elected, stating the prince “has got enough problems with his wife.” Yet, immigration attorneys caution that Harry could still face challenges to his residential status under the Trump administration.
The State Department’s decisions can be influenced by political pressures and are not always predictable. Consequently, Harry’s visa could be revoked, potentially barring him from re-entering the U.S. even with a valid visa, especially considering his past drug use, which could render him ineligible for entry. Various factors, including political considerations, could impede Harry’s return to the United States.
Tensions between the Sussexes and the Trump family have persisted since 2016, when Meghan, then an actress, described Trump as “misogynistic” and “divisive” on a Comedy Central show. Trump later called her remarks “nasty.”
In a 2022 interview with Piers Morgan, Trump commented on Harry: “Harry is whipped like no person I think I’ve ever seen.” He also predicted the couple would divorce, adding, “It’ll end, and it’ll end bad… I want to know what’s going to happen when Harry decides he’s had enough of being bossed around… Or maybe when she decides that she likes some other guy better. I want to know what’s going to happen when it ends, OK?”
Eric Trump has also commented, labeling the Duke and Duchess “spoiled apples” and stating, “You can happily have those two. We might not want them anymore; it feels like they’re on an island of their own.”
Critics note precedent exists for denying U.S. entry based on drug admissions. British TV chef Nigella Lawson was denied entry to the United States in 2013 after admitting to drug use.
Harry’s representatives have consistently asserted that he was “truthful” during the application process. Documents obtained through previous FOIA requests indicate “no drug use, special treatment apparent in Prince Harry’s visa request,” though much of this information was redacted, and the visa application itself was excluded.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle relocated to Montecito, California, in 2020 after stepping back from their roles as working members of the British royal family. The couple has established their life in the United States, and though Harry has reportedly contemplated obtaining American citizenship, it is “not a high priority for him at the moment.”