Experts say that embattled Royal Prince Harry has too much to lose by gaining American citizenship. During an interview with Good Morning America, the British Prince said he had “considered” applying to become an American, but this was not an urgent priority. Royal observer Christopher Andersen, however, said Harry is unlikely to “twist the knife” by adopting US citizenship after dramatically leaving his country and family in 2020 to relocate to California. Andersen said such a move would only alienate him further from his family and anger the British public.
The US Citizen and Immigration Service notes that foreign individuals must denounce any “heredity or positions of nobility” to become American citizens, and analysts say this is likely far too high a price for the Duke of Sussex to pay.
Harry may have other problems, however, and is subject to a legal battle by a conservative foundation that argues the Prince should not have been granted a US visa because he is a past drug user, as he admitted in his recent autobiography, Spare. The Heritage Foundation filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, demanding to know the details of Harry’s immigrant status.
In his sensational book, the Prince admitted to using cocaine and marijuana, and the conservative group argues that he has been given special treatment by American immigration authorities.
Meanwhile, the Prince has also lost his battle with the British government over security funding. When he departed the Royal family in 2020, the UK’s Home Office said it would no longer pay for his extensive security because he was no longer a working member of the Royal family. Harry filed a lawsuit asking for reconsideration of the decision, but a court recently found in the government’s favor and upheld the previous ruling.
Donald Trump spoke about Prince Harry at the recent CPAC conservative conference and agreed he has been “protected” by the Biden administration. Mr. Trump made clear that such protection will end if he becomes President.
