The Heritage Foundation has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seeking the release of Prince Harry’s visa records.
In his memoir Spare, which recently launched in paperback, Harry disclosed his past use of substances like cannabis, cocaine, magic mushrooms, and ayahuasca. The Heritage Foundation believes these admissions should have prevented his entry into the United States.
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To strengthen its case, the Heritage Foundation has also requested to “vacate” the court’s decision that kept certain documents private, including communications between DHS and the presiding judge.
The judge’s ruling was redacted to protect Prince Harry’s privacy, but the Heritage team argues this has hindered their ability to formulate effective appeals.
According to their lawyers, the situation has been complicated, yet they assert that the court’s approach doesn’t align with the principles of an adversarial system.
As the lawsuit unfolds, it poses a public relations dilemma for Prince Harry, particularly with the looming possibility of visa complications and commentary from figures like former President Donald Trump.
The judge concluded that Prince Harry’s right to privacy outweighs public interest, thus granting a summary judgment in favor of the defendant, as noted by Judge Nichols.