The US Department of Homeland Security has agreed to release three redacted items from Prince Harry's visa documents whilst keeping a fourth item sealed from public view.
The development marks a significant step in the ongoing legal battle over the Duke of Sussex's immigration records.
Lawyers for DHS confirmed they can make public redacted versions of the first three items, which could provide insight into whether Prince Harry disclosed his drug use on immigration forms.
The fourth document, however, cannot be unsealed without revealing information that a judge has ruled should remain private.
The case, brought by the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank, emerged after DHS initially refused a Freedom of Information request for Harry's files.
The Duke has previously admitted to using cannabis, cocaine and magic mushrooms in his memoir 'Spare' and Netflix series.
Judge Carl Nichols has expressed his desire to make the 'maximum amount' of material public regarding Harry's visa forms.
This follows the judge's initial refusal in September to release all documents, citing the Duke's right to privacy.
However, after a subsequent hearing, Judge Nichols reconsidered his position, stating: 'In my view that has to happen'.
The judge indicated he wanted to take the release of files 'in stages'.
The Heritage Foundation claims Prince Harry may have provided false information on visa forms regarding drug use.
Nile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at Heritage, has appealed to President Trump to make the files public.
Gardiner noted that Trump had made 'border security and the application of the rule of law a top priority'.
The latest development comes days after Donald Trump posted a portrait of himself wearing a royal crown on Truth Social, referring to himself as 'King'.
Trump has previously stated he wouldn't deport Prince Harry, though he qualified this by saying he was only giving the Duke 'a break' because 'he's got enough problems with his wife'.
The former president, now back in office, has been openly critical of the Sussexes.
Speaking in February 2024, Trump declared he 'wouldn't protect' Harry if re-elected, casting uncertainty over the Duke's immigration status.
Trump has accused Harry of betraying Queen Elizabeth II, apparently referring to the Duke's public disclosure of private conversations.
The tensions between Trump and the Sussexes date back to 2016, when Meghan called him 'misogynist' and 'divisive'.
Trump responded by calling her 'nasty', though he later retracted this, saying she was 'very nice'.
According to the DHS filing, the redacted materials will be provided to Judge Nichols by March 6th.
DHS lawyer John Bardo stated they would 'propose redacting all information in these items that would reveal information that the Court has determined Defendant can withhold'.
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Regarding the fourth item, DHS maintains it cannot remove existing redactions without disclosing protected information.
No details have been provided about the nature of the four items in question.
Prince Harry's representatives have declined to comment on the case.
The hearing marked the first such proceedings since Trump returned to the presidency.
Trump has been particularly vocal about the Duchess of Sussex, stating plainly: 'She's terrible'.
The ongoing legal battle highlights the complex relationship between the former president and the royal couple, who relocated to the US in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties.
Find Out More...
The development marks a significant step in the ongoing legal battle over the Duke of Sussex's immigration records.
Lawyers for DHS confirmed they can make public redacted versions of the first three items, which could provide insight into whether Prince Harry disclosed his drug use on immigration forms.
The fourth document, however, cannot be unsealed without revealing information that a judge has ruled should remain private.
The case, brought by the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank, emerged after DHS initially refused a Freedom of Information request for Harry's files.
The Duke has previously admitted to using cannabis, cocaine and magic mushrooms in his memoir 'Spare' and Netflix series.
Judge Carl Nichols has expressed his desire to make the 'maximum amount' of material public regarding Harry's visa forms.
This follows the judge's initial refusal in September to release all documents, citing the Duke's right to privacy.
However, after a subsequent hearing, Judge Nichols reconsidered his position, stating: 'In my view that has to happen'.
The judge indicated he wanted to take the release of files 'in stages'.
The Heritage Foundation claims Prince Harry may have provided false information on visa forms regarding drug use.
Nile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at Heritage, has appealed to President Trump to make the files public.
Gardiner noted that Trump had made 'border security and the application of the rule of law a top priority'.
The latest development comes days after Donald Trump posted a portrait of himself wearing a royal crown on Truth Social, referring to himself as 'King'.
Trump has previously stated he wouldn't deport Prince Harry, though he qualified this by saying he was only giving the Duke 'a break' because 'he's got enough problems with his wife'.
The former president, now back in office, has been openly critical of the Sussexes.
Speaking in February 2024, Trump declared he 'wouldn't protect' Harry if re-elected, casting uncertainty over the Duke's immigration status.
Trump has accused Harry of betraying Queen Elizabeth II, apparently referring to the Duke's public disclosure of private conversations.
The tensions between Trump and the Sussexes date back to 2016, when Meghan called him 'misogynist' and 'divisive'.
Trump responded by calling her 'nasty', though he later retracted this, saying she was 'very nice'.
According to the DHS filing, the redacted materials will be provided to Judge Nichols by March 6th.
DHS lawyer John Bardo stated they would 'propose redacting all information in these items that would reveal information that the Court has determined Defendant can withhold'.
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Regarding the fourth item, DHS maintains it cannot remove existing redactions without disclosing protected information.
No details have been provided about the nature of the four items in question.
Prince Harry's representatives have declined to comment on the case.
The hearing marked the first such proceedings since Trump returned to the presidency.
Trump has been particularly vocal about the Duchess of Sussex, stating plainly: 'She's terrible'.
The ongoing legal battle highlights the complex relationship between the former president and the royal couple, who relocated to the US in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties.
Find Out More...