Sting name-dropped in Prince Harry's visa application release but mystery still remains
British musician Sting was name-dropped in Prince Harry's visa documents
Prince Harry has been thrust back into the spotlight this week after the release of heavily redacted documents regarding his US visa application, following a legal challenge by the right-wing Heritage Foundation.
The legal battle was sparked when Prince Harry admitted past drug use in his memoir Spare. The Heritage Foundation, an American think tank, challenged whether the duke admitted his past drug use in his US visa application and if he received special treatment.
In redacted documents released this week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) insisted there was no evidence of the duke receiving special treatment in his immigration process.
However, one unexpected name appeared in the court files – Sting.
Singer Sting mentioned in Prince Harry’s visa application documents
In the released court documents, one line in particular caught the attention of the public.
A partial transcript from an April 30, 2024, in-camera hearing between lawyers for the Heritage Foundation and the DHS included the following statement: “…In whether Prince Harry or Sting or anyone else you can think of who is prominent has a particular visa status.”
The context of the reference to Sting – reportedly worth an estimated £320 million – remains unclear due to the heavily redacted documents.
Prince Harry’s visa controversy
The battle over Harry’s US immigration status has been ongoing since the Heritage Foundation filed a lawsuit demanding the release of his visa records.
They want to know if Harry disclosed his past drug use – including taking cocaine, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms – in his application.
Application forms for US visas specifically ask about current and past drug use. Drug use can sometimes lead to applications being rejected.
The Heritage Foundation want to know if Harry admitted his past drug use in his forms, and if he received special treatment.
However, the DHS has said there’s no evidence of “government misconduct”. They also said Harry’s application followed “applicable rules and regulations”.
The legal battle has prompted speculation that President Donald Trump could deport Prince Harry if he did lie.
Trump initially suggested that he wouldn’t protect Harry against potential consequences. But in a recent interview with the New York Post, the president softened his stance.
“I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible,” Trump said, referring to Harry’s wife Meghan Markle.
The Heritage Foundation continues to fight for full transparency
Following the release of redacted documents, the Heritage Foundation has vowed to continue fighting for full transparency.
I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife.
“These documents do not in any way alter the big picture. Which is that Harry’s visa application needs to be released to the American public in full,” The Heritage Foundation’s Nile Gardiner told the Daily Mail.
“The documents are so heavily redacted by the Biden-era Department of Homeland Security that they offer no answers at all.”
Read more: Prince Harry ‘stuck between a rock and a hard place’ as visa decision has ‘added fuel to the fire’
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