The US State Department is set to release thousands of documents related to Prince Harry's visa application, following a prolonged legal battle initiated by the Heritage Foundation. The conservative think tank has sought to uncover whether the Duke of Sussex received preferential treatment or failed to disclose past drug use on his application.
Documents to be Released in Tranches
A review of 307 documents comprising 2,487 pages was ordered, and after months of processing, the first batch of files will be released at the end of July 2026. Subsequent releases will occur every eight weeks, according to a joint court filing by the Heritage Foundation and the State Department in June 2026. The filing stated: "The State Department anticipates making its first production of nonexempt portions of responsive records at the end of July 2026. Following that, the Department will make regular productions every eight weeks."
Background of the Dispute
The controversy stems from claims in Prince Harry's 2023 memoir, Spare, where he admitted to using cannabis, cocaine, magic mushrooms, and ayahuasca. Such drug use could render an applicant ineligible for a US visa. The Heritage Foundation requested his visa paperwork be made public, but a US District Judge ruled in September 2024 that the public did not have a strong interest in disclosing his immigration records. The foundation then filed a new case against the State Department to release other documents it holds relating to the prince.
Lawyers for the Heritage Foundation argued that Harry must have either failed to declare his past drug use or been given favourable treatment. John Bardo, a lawyer for the Department of Homeland Security under the Biden administration, countered in 2024: "The book isn't sworn testimony or proof. Saying something in a book doesn't necessarily make it true. The mere acknowledgement of these records would constitute an unwarranted invasion of Prince Harry's privacy."
Political Reactions
US President Donald Trump weighed in on the matter in March 2024, telling GB News's Nigel Farage that Harry should not receive preferential treatment. When asked if the Duke should face consequences if found to have lied on his application, Trump said: "No. We'll have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied they'll have to take appropriate action."
The Heritage Foundation's legal team stated: "The Biden administration has gone to great lengths to protect Prince Harry, and in doing so, has undermined the public's trust in the fair enforcement of our nation's immigration laws."
What the Documents May Reveal
The upcoming release could offer new insights into how Harry is discussed within the US government and shed light on what he may have included in his visa application. The Mirror has reached out to the Duke of Sussex's representatives and the Heritage Foundation for comment. The US State Department told Newsweek that they would not comment on active litigation.
Harry and his wife Meghan Markle permanently relocated to the United States in 2020 after stepping down from royal duties. The release of these documents marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of his immigration status.
