Donald Trump has revealed his bizarre reason for deciding not to deport Prince Harry from the US.
The former British royal, 40, moved to California with his wife, Meghan Markle, 43, in 2020 after tensions rose between him and the rest of the royal family.
The couple, who share two children – Archie and Lilibet – did not feel safe remaining in the UK due to concerns over their security and privacy.
However, Harry’s immigration status has been the subject of litigation in Washington DC, with the Heritage Foundation alleging that he should have been disqualified from having a US visa over claims he may have concealed past illegal drug use.
The Prince’s life in Montecito appears to be safe for the time being, as President Trump has declared that he will not be seeking to deport Harry back to the UK.
President Trump told the New York Post: “I don’t want to do that, I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.”
He also took the opportunity to praise Harry’s estranged brother, Prince William, after meeting with him privately in Paris in December when both were in attendance at the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Trump added: “I think William is a great young man.”
The decision to allow Harry to stay in the US comes after both he and Meghan have previously voiced their disapproval of Trump’s presidency over the years, including Meghan calling him “divisive” and “misogynistic”.
President Trump had responded to describe Harry as being “whipped” by his wife, adding: “I think poor Harry is being led around by the nose.”
The controversy over whether Harry’s visa should be revoked came after the release of his explosive autobiography, Spare, in which he admitted to having used cocaine, cannabis, and psychedelics.
Heritage had sued the Department of Homeland Security last year to force the release of Harry’s US visa records.
Heritage’s Nile Gardiner told the London Daily Telegraph: “Anyone who applies to the United States has to be truthful on their application, and it is not clear that is the case with Prince Harry.”
The conservative think tank believes it proves Harry was given preferential treatment by the Biden administration after he and Meghan moved to California.
Either way, it appears Harry is safe in Montecito for now.
