Prince Harry could face a fresh immigration headache the next time he tries to enter the United States, as President Donald Trump’s hostility toward the Duke and Duchess of Sussex fuels fears that the royal’s long-running visa controversy could explode again.
Harry, 41, and Meghan Markle, 45, recently returned to Britain after spending six years living in California with their children.
Trump, 80, made it clear he was pleased to see them go.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office about the couple’s return to Britain, Trump said: “I’m happy about it. I was not a fan. And I thought they treated the Royal family with great disrespect.”
He continued: “I didn’t like it. I didn’t like the way she acted. I thought she was terribly disrespectful to the Queen, to King Charles. Maybe I’m different. I wouldn’t have taken them back.”
The comments have once again put a spotlight on Harry’s controversial U.S. immigration status and questions surrounding whether he properly disclosed his past drug use when applying to enter the country.
There is currently no indication the White House is taking any action against Harry.
However, sources familiar with the controversy say the situation could become much more complicated now that Harry is living outside the United States.
Harry and Meghan returned to Britain in August and are expected to live outside London while their children attend British schools.
The couple famously stepped down as working members of the Royal Family in 2020 before moving to North America and eventually settling in Montecito, California.
But Harry’s move back to Britain could bring renewed scrutiny to his ability to travel between the U.K. and the United States.
The Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington think tank, previously went to court seeking access to Harry’s immigration records.
The legal battle followed revelations in Harry’s 2023 memoir, “Spare,” in which he admitted using cocaine, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms.
The group questioned whether Harry had disclosed that drug use on his immigration paperwork and whether he may have received preferential treatment from U.S. officials.
American authorities have previously said there was no evidence of government misconduct.
Harry’s immigration records have largely remained private, and heavily redacted documents released during the Heritage Foundation case failed to reveal exactly what type of visa or immigration status he used to enter and remain in the country.
Trump has previously taken a less aggressive stance toward Harry himself.
In February 2025, when speculation was mounting that his administration could become involved in the visa dispute, Trump said he was not interested in deporting the duke.
But sources say Harry voluntarily leaving the United States could change the dynamics of the controversy.
One source familiar with the matter said Harry’s departure does not necessarily make the issue disappear.
“Harry leaving America does not necessarily make the immigration issue disappear,” the source said. “In some respects, it could make it more important because the question becomes what happens when he next wants to enter the United States.”
The source added that if Harry’s previous immigration applications or status were ever successfully challenged, the biggest problem could come when he attempts to return.
“If his immigration status or previous applications were ever successfully challenged, re-entry is where he could potentially encounter a problem, and there is a fear he could bar Harry from re-entry,” the source said.
The source also noted that Trump has repeatedly argued Harry should not receive special treatment.
“He may have ruled out trying to deport him while he was living in America, but Harry has now voluntarily left,” the source said. “That creates a very different political backdrop if questions about his immigration history resurface before a future trip to the US.”
Another Washington source stressed that Trump cannot simply personally ban Harry from entering the country without cause.
“Nobody is suggesting that Trump can simply wake up one morning and personally cancel Harry’s right to enter America,” the source said.
“There is an immigration process and there would need to be legitimate grounds for action.”
Still, the source said Trump’s openly negative attitude toward Harry and Meghan means any renewed immigration controversy could quickly become a major political story.
The worst-case scenario for Harry, according to the source, would be for the visa dispute to erupt while he is in Britain and preparing to travel back to California.
Even an investigation or administrative review could create serious disruption because Harry and Meghan still maintain major personal and business connections in the United States.
“Harry’s admissions about drugs have always been at the heart of this dispute,” the source said.
“The unanswered question is what was disclosed to US authorities and under what immigration status he was admitted.”
Until those details become public, the source said questions will likely continue over whether Harry was treated like any other immigration applicant.
Trump’s latest comments are also being viewed as a reminder that his anger toward the Sussexes has not faded.
“That does not automatically translate into immigration action,” the source said, “but Harry would certainly prefer not to have his ability to return to America become another political battleground.”
Harry and Meghan are not expected to immediately return to official royal duties despite now living much closer to King Charles, 77, and other members of the Royal Family.
For years, speculation surrounding Harry’s immigration status centered on whether he could ever be deported from America.
Now that he has left voluntarily, the question may have changed entirely.
The next battle could be over whether Prince Harry is allowed back in.