Prince Harry's immigration status remains protected from public scrutiny in a legal dispute between the United States and the Heritage Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, over the release of Prince Harry's U.S. visa records.
Despite calls for transparency, the United States has firmly defended its decision to keep documents confidential, sparking debate over the scope of privacy for the U.S. royal family, British media said on April 25.
The crux of the legal battle lies in Ambassador Jane Hartley's recent comments about Prince Harry's state of residence.
Invoking the Freedom of Information Act, the Heritage Foundation sought access to the royal family's immigration documents, claiming Hartley's remarks undermined the government's stance on the secrecy of the documents.
However, the Department of Homeland Security, which represents the United States, countered that Hartley's remarks were only a response to former President Trump's hypothetical scenario about Harry's deportation and did not represent official policy.
The intensification of the legal dispute has led both sides to present their arguments in court. The Heritage Foundation submitted more than 100 pages of legal documents, including transcripts of Hartley's interview with Sky News, which they called "extraordinary".
"The plaintiffs argue that the U.S. ambassador to the Court of St. James, Jane Hartley, revealed information about the Duke's immigration status in an interview with Sky News," they wrote. But Hartley's comments were just a reaction to former President Donald Trump's hint that he would consider expelling the Duke if he was re-elected president. ”
At the same time, Prince Harry's plans to participate in the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the "Invincible" movement in the United Kingdom are hanging in the air. After suffering a setback in his latest security battle with the British Home Office, Prince Harry is facing concerns about his own safety.
With legal costs mounting and unresolved security issues persisting, Harry is allegedly considering alternative ways to attend events via video links or pre-recorded messages.
A source told the Express: "Whenever Harry travels to the UK, his travel always depends on how safe he is. Before deciding whether or not to participate in the anniversary of the Games, his security team had to ensure that St. Paul's Cathedral was adequately protected. While he was in London, both the Metropolitan Police and his own security needs were met. ”
The source added that Harry was concerned about his plans to travel in the UK due to unresolved security concerns. Harry's desire to spend more time with his family in the UK clashes with the need to ensure his own safety. The uncertainty surrounding his security arrangements left him feeling "extremely disappointed" and calling into question his participation in the upcoming celebration of the "Invincible" movement.
In the wake of the legal setback, during discussions about his security arrangements, Prince Harry's representative remained silent when contacted by the media, saying only "no comment".
Harry's future activities, whether in the UK or elsewhere, depend on the resolution of these pressing issues, highlighting the delicate balance between royal obligations and personal safety and security in an increasingly complex world.