Prince Harry 'may have lied' about drug use in Spare to sell copies, US lawyer argues in visa case

Duke said in book that he took cocaine, cannabis and psychedelic mushrooms
William Mata24 February 2024

Prince Harry might have exaggerated his drug claims to sell copies of his autobiography, a lawyer has said in a hearing about his visa requirements. 

The Duke of Sussex wrote in Spare that he has taken cocaine, cannabis and psychedelic mushrooms - which was a shocking revelation to some with conservative values in the US.

Right wing Washington DC think tank The Heritage Foundation filed a lawsuit against the Department for Homeland Security for allowing Harry to move to the US in 2020.

The group had previously tried and failed to obtain his entry forms via a freedom of information request and is now attempting to pressure the prince via other means.

The Heritage Foundation said: “The Duke of Sussex did so despite the fact that it is widely known that such admissions can have adverse immigration consequences for non-citizens and despite employing preeminent legal advisors on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Spare was published in January 2023 and contained revelations as to how the prince’s time in the army and how he had a rivalry with his older brother William. 

Lawyer John Bardo is representing Harry on behalf of Homeland - a subdivision of the Biden administration. He has countered the foundation’s argument by saying “the book isn’t sworn testimony or proof”. 

"Saying something in a book doesn’t necessarily make it true,” Mr Bardo said, according to a story run by the Telegraph on Saturday

The Department for Homeland Security has reportedly said it cannot reveal whether his visa application mentioned his drug use.

“The mere acknowledgement of these records would constitute an unwarranted invasion of Prince Harry’s privacy,” a statement added.

“The records are particularly sensitive because releasing them, even in part, would reveal Prince Harry’s status in the United States, which Prince Harry has not disclosed.”

“Courts consistently hold that a person’s visa or immigration status is private, personal information exempt from disclosure.”

The hearing concluded without Harry’s visa records being made public. 

A US judge will make a ruling in the coming weeks.

Prince Harry is reportedly considering becoming a US citizen but this would require him to relinquish any title. 

He has said: “American citizenship is a thought that has crossed my mind but certainly not something that’s a high priority for me right now.”

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