Prince Harry’s US Residency Could Face Scrutiny Under Trump’s New Administration
Donald Trump’s plans for key cabinet appointments in his potential second administration have sparked fresh speculation about Prince Harry’s US residency, according to royal commentator Richard Eden.
Eden, speaking on Palace Confidential, noted that Trump’s recent nomination of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) could lead to renewed concerns for the Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle. “I do expect Harry and Meghan reading the news of Donald Trump appointments with shivers being sent down their spines,” Eden remarked, reported by the Express.
Eden pointed out that the previous DHS under the Biden administration had “done them a few favours,” referencing the Duke’s controversial visa status. Earlier this year, the Conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit demanding the release of Prince Harry’s visa records. This came after Harry admitted in his memoir Spare to past drug use, including psychedelics and cocaine—admissions that could have potentially disqualified him from obtaining US residency under standard immigration policies.
The lawsuit sought to determine whether Prince Harry had been truthful on his visa application. However, the US government successfully argued that his records should remain private, with the case being terminated on September 9. Despite this, The Heritage Foundation is reportedly working to overturn the ruling.
Eden commented on Noem’s reputation as a “no-nonsense figure” and speculated that she might take a less lenient approach to such cases compared to her predecessor. “It sounds like she [Kristi Noem] is a ‘no-nonsense figure’ from what I read, so you may find she is less sympathetic than her predecessor,” Eden added.
Trump’s potential return to the presidency raises questions about the future scrutiny of Harry’s visa status, especially given the high-profile nature of his admissions in Spare. The memoir, which detailed Harry’s experimentation with drugs, prompted backlash and renewed focus on how immigration laws apply to high-profile figures.
While no immediate action has been indicated, Eden’s comments highlight ongoing speculation about how a Trump administration, particularly under a DHS led by Noem, might revisit unresolved immigration controversies involving the Duke of Sussex.