How Prince Harry's visa row could impact the royal family and Donald Trump

A US judge has ruled that redacted documents regarding Prince Harry’s immigration status must be released today, sparking speculation about potential legal consequences.

As the controversy unfolds, a leading royal expert has shared insight into how this situation could impact both US President Donald Trump and the royal family.

Speaking to Express.co.uk, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams described the fallout from Harry’s visa records dispute as an "irritant" for both the Trump administration and the monarchy.

"Sources close to Donald Trump have indicated in the past that he [Prince Harry] should not receive preferential treatment, but the President has said that he would leave him alone," Fitzwilliams noted.

"If there were legal issues affecting a member of the British Royal Family, it would be a cause célèbre. This would be an irritant both for the Trump administration and for the Royal Family. I don’t therefore expect anything will actually happen, whatever is revealed."

Commenting on what might be revealed, Fitzwilliams explained: "Normally, I would not think it was in the public interest to reveal the details requested by the Heritage Foundation."

However, he pointed out that Harry himself openly discussed his drug use in Spare and in interviews, particularly in his conversation with Dr. Gabor Maté, where he explored the effects of psychedelics.

"I realise that the main reason Harry took drugs has been to ease the pain he felt after losing his mother.

"It would therefore seem reasonable for us to know if he had mentioned he had taken them on his application form, as he should have," Fitzwilliams added.

"The documents could potentially show if he had admitted to taking drugs. However, these parts may be redacted," the expert noted.

Why is Prince Harry's legal status under scrutiny? 

Following his move to the US in 2020, Prince Harry made shocking admissions in his memoir, Spare, revealing that he had used cocaine, marijuana, and magic mushrooms.

In response, the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, filed a Freedom of Information Act request to access details about Harry’s US immigration application. 

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initially refused to release the records, leading the organization to take the case to court.

After months of legal battles, Judge Nichols ruled in September 2024 that there was no public interest in disclosing Harry’s visa details. 

However, following an appeal, he agreed to release redacted copies of three documents, while keeping a fourth document private.

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