A US court has ordered the release of Prince Harry’s immigration documents. This has sparked global intrigue over whether the royal lied about his drug use on visa forms.
PRINCE HARRY AND THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION
The ruling follows a two-year battle by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. They are on a mission to expose potential discrepancies between Harry’s public admissions and official disclosures.
Judge Carl Nichols, appointed by Donald Trump, initially blocked the release in September 2024, citing privacy concerns.
But after a rethink, he ruled that redacted versions must be made public by 18 March 2025, according to Sky News.
The documents could reveal whether Harry answered “no” to drug-related questions on his 2020 visa application.
This is despite admitting to cocaine, marijuana, and psychedelic mushroom use in his memoir Spare.
US IMMIGRATION RULES
While the case centres on US immigration rules, it raises questions about fairness in visa processes. This is a topic resonating in South Africa, where many citizens navigate complex emigration hurdles.
The think tank argues Prince Harry’s admissions in Spare—including claims that cannabis “really did help me”—could have disqualified him from entering the US.
“The public deserves answers,” says Nile Gardiner, director of Heritage’s Margaret Thatcher Center. “Did he receive special treatment?”.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agreed to release three redacted documents but will withhold a fourth, according to GB News.
PRIVACY AND THE LAW
Judge Nichols approved the edits, calling them “appropriate”. Critics warn the move could set a precedent for exposing private immigration details, even for celebrities.
President Trump, who appointed Judge Nichols, recently dismissed calls to deport Prince Harry: “I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.”according to The Tribune.
The remark highlights the case’s political undertones, though Trump’s administration initially opposed releasing the files.
If the documents show Harry answered “no” to drug questions, it could fuel debates about visa integrity. However, experts note that past drug use alone rarely blocks entry unless tied to criminal charges.
PRINCE HARRY AND TRANSPARENCY
For now, the world waits to see what Tuesday’s release will reveal—and how it might reshape perceptions of royal privilege.
While Prince Harry’s case is unique, it underscores broader themes of accountability and fairness in immigration systems.
As South Africans navigate their own visa challenges, the ruling serves as a reminder that transparency—even for the elite—is a cornerstone of justice.
DO YOU BELIEVE PRINCE HARRY’S VISA FILES SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC, EVEN IF IT INVOLVES PRIVATE INFORMATION?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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