The US State Department has identified 18 internal documents related to Prince Harry and withheld them in their entirety, according to a fresh legal update. The move comes as government officials continue to review 307 documents totalling 2,487 pages in response to Freedom of Information Act filings.
Legal challenge over visa application
The legal saga stems from The Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank, which launched action demanding transparency over Harry's immigration status. The core question is whether the Duke was truthful on his visa applications regarding his past drug use, which he discussed in his memoir, Spare.
While the matter had briefly faded from headlines, the fresh paper trail has thrust his immigration status back into the spotlight. His legal team maintains that he was completely honest on his forms.
Trump's history of criticism
The update is particularly uncomfortable given Donald Trump's presence in the White House. Trump and the Sussexes have a history of public clashes, including after Harry and Meghan released a video for Time magazine urging Americans to vote, widely seen as an endorsement of Joe Biden.
Speaking at a White House press briefing, Trump said of Meghan: "I'm not a fan of hers, and she probably has heard that," adding: "I wish a lot of luck to Harry, because he's going to need it."
Trump has also criticised the couple's treatment of the late Queen Elizabeth, whom he called "a very special woman." At the Conservative Political Action Conference, he said: "I wouldn't protect him. He betrayed the Queen. That's unforgivable. He would be on his own if it was up to me."
When asked by Nigel Farage whether Harry should face deportation if he lied about drug use, Trump warned: "We'll have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied, they'll have to take appropriate action."
Uncertain future in the US
With thousands of pages of internal files in Washington, Harry faces an uncertain future. Court rulings might shield his personal files for now, but the possibility remains that the White House could decide to make an example of him.
