Release date for Prince Harry's visa documents pushed back amid King Charles visit

Dorothy Reddin
Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:51:44 +0000

American officials have delayed the disclosure of Prince Harry's visa records until his father's diplomatic trip to the United States has concluded.

The postponement, revealed in court documents filed this week in Washington DC, pushes any potential release to at least June 12.

The timing ensures no awkward revelations emerge during King Charles's forthcoming state visit, though the filing itself does not refer to the royal trip.

Campaigners from the Heritage Foundation, a US think-tank, have spent years attempting to access the Duke of Sussex's immigration paperwork through freedom of information litigation against the State Department.

Their legal battle centres on whether Harry truthfully answered questions about prior drug use when applying for his American visa.

The duke has openly acknowledged in his 2023 autobiography Spare that he previously consumed cocaine, cannabis and psychedelic mushrooms.

Such admissions would typically raise serious concerns under standard US immigration procedures.

Applicants are routinely questioned about past drug use, and honest answers can result in visa denials or even deportation for ordinary individuals.

Lawyers acting for the Heritage Foundation and researcher Mike Howell contend there is significant public interest in understanding how both the Joe Biden and Donald Trump administrations have handled the duke's case.

The King and Queen Camilla are due to attend a glittering state banquet at the White House in late April, hosted by President Trump.

The occasion marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, with Charles positioned as an emblem of the special relationship between the two nations.

The visit is already considered a diplomatically sensitive territory. President Trump recently criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer for declining to support Operation Epic Fury, adding strain to the political backdrop.

Any controversy surrounding Harry's right to reside at his California home could potentially overshadow proceedings for both the British and American Governments.

Court filings dated April 13 disclose that the State Department has identified 307 separate records totalling 2,487 pages potentially relevant to the duke, who is formally named in the civil action as Henry Charles Albert David, as reported by the Mail.

The Bureau of Consular Affairs initially flagged 517 potentially relevant documents, while the Office of the Secretary found 217 additional records.

A further 271 documents were located by the Office of the Legal Adviser, with two more discovered on the Deputy Secretary of State's desk.

Officials attributed the delays to the substantial volume of material requiring review across multiple Government departments.

The Donald Trump administration has previously stated that Harry's application followed all "applicable rules and regulations".