Prince Harry 'stuck between a rock and a hard place' as visa decision has 'added fuel to the fire'
Experts believe that releasing the redacted documents has led to more speculation
Prince Harry has made headlines again this week following the release of heavily redacted documents regarding his US visa.
It comes after American think tank The Heritage Foundation previously called for Harry’s visa application to be made public following the duke’s comments about taking drugs in his 2023 memoir, Spare.
They have challenged whether Harry, 40, disclosed his past drug use in his application and whether he entered the US legally. This week, documents regarding the duke’s visa were released but were heavily redacted, meaning no new details have emerged and his actual visa application remains private.
Now, brand and culture expert Nick Ede has weighed in, saying the decision to release the files in their current state has only intensified public curiosity.
This is despite the government’s insistence that the redactions were made to protect Prince Harry’s privacy.
Prince Harry redacted visa documents have ‘added fuel to the fire’
Speaking exclusively to Royal Insider, Nick shared his perspective on the ongoing controversy.
He said: “The decision to redact much of Prince Harry’s visa shows that he wanted most of the information to remain private. Whilst he has always been very vocal about his privacy and that of his documentation, the decision to release them in this state adds fuel to a fire and creates more widespread speculation as to why they have been kept private.”
Nick believes that Harry’s legal team would have preferred to end the battle entirely. However, the redacted documents have instead intensified the controversy.
The decision to release them in this state adds fuel to a fire.
He explained: “[Harry’s] stuck between a rock and a hard place. I’m sure some people may want to appeal to see the whole documents without the black marks over them.”
Despite the speculation, Nick defended Harry’s right to privacy. He noted that the duke is a law-abiding resident who contributes to the economy.
Nick said: “But Harry is a US citizen with a US wife, he pays his taxes – which will be huge – and he’s not doing anything wrong. So hopefully this will be the last of it… or that’s what him and his team will want it to be.”
Prince Harry visa controversy
Harry’s immigration status has been a hot-button issue. This comes after he openly admitted to previously using cocaine, marijuana, and psychedelic drugs in his memoir Spare.
His revelations led the right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation to file a lawsuit.
They argued that the American public has a right to know if he disclosed his drug use on his visa application – and whether he received special treatment by the US government.
This week, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released select documents but blacked out nearly all details. No confirmation was provided on whether Harry admitted his past drug use and his actual application remains private.
But the DHS insisted that Harry didn’t receive special treatment and his application followed all the “applicable rules and regulations”.
Meanwhile, the Heritage Foundation has vowed to continue the legal battle.
Read more: Sting name-dropped in Prince Harry’s visa application release but mystery still remains
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