Royal news – live: Prince Harry’s US visa case faces major ruling as Duke pays touching tribute to Diana

A judge ruled that disclosing Prince Harry’s US visa application was not in the public interest

Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, waves as he arrives to the Royal Courts of Justice, Britain’s High Court, in central London on 7 June, 2023. (AFP via Getty Images)

The Duke of Sussex’s US visa application will remain private, a judge has ruled, despite him admitting taking drugs in his memoir Spare.

Harry, 40, said he took several illegal substances in the 2023 memoir, including cocaine and psychedelic mushrooms, prompting questions on if he was allowed into the country in 2020.

However, the Duke’s visa application will not be disclosed publicly after a judge ruled that it was not in the public interest.

US judge Carl Nichols ruled: “Like any foreign national, the Duke has a legitimate privacy interest in his immigration status.”

It comes as Prince Harry undertakes a series of high-profile solo engagements in New York to promote his philanthropic work.

Yesterday, he attended The Diana Awards, which honours the achievements of young people who have made a significant impact in improving the lives of others.

Paying tribute to his late mother, Harry said: “I know that my mum would be incredibly proud of you guys… the way that you do it, your activism, your compassion, those two things are so true to how my mum led her life and what she believed in.”

Key Points

• Prince Harry’s US visa to remain private, judge rules
• Harry pays tribute to Princess Diana at charity event in New York
• Anti-monarchists claim royal family costs ‘half a billion a year'

[24 September 2024 12:00 · Emma Guinness]

Prince Harry reveals what gives him ‘hope’ at New York event

The Duke of Sussex has admitted that the younger generation give him “hope” while attending The Diana Awards in New York.

Established in honour of the late princess, the event recognises the achievements of young people who are making a significant difference in improving the lives of others.

Harry, who recently turned 40, said: “I have said it before years ago and I’ll say it again. The younger generation is what gives me hope. The courage you have gives me hope.

“Every one of us needs courage to move the dial in this world, probably more than ever

“We need to listen and act on what you say because it is your future that will be stolen and that is unacceptable.”

I love this for the Diana Awards recipients. It is much more intimate despite the video conference because all the recipients are able to have a more personal interaction w/Prince Harry w/o an audience. Harry is keeping his mom’s legacy alive.❤️ pic.twitter.com/FhS2S6ZmSf

— Queens R. Made (@QueenRMade1) March 15, 2024

[24 September 2024 11:00 · Emma Guinness]

Prince Harry says Diana would want Angola to ‘finish’ job of clearing landmines

Prince Harry has said that the late Princess Diana would want Angola to “finish” the job of clearing landmines.

Harry, 40, made the revelation at an event by The Halo Trust, a landmine charity his mother personally supported, in New York yesterday.

“The Halo Trust’s work in Angola meant a great deal to my mother,” he said.

“Carrying on her legacy is a responsibility that I take seriously.

“I think we all know how much she would want us to finish this particular job.”

The duke saw the efforts being made by the Angolan government to solve the problem first-hand in 2019 when he followed in the footsteps of his mother through a cleared minefield.

At the time, a further £45m worth of investment into similar landmine clearings had been announced.

[24 September 2024 10:00 · Emma Guinness]

Watch back our event: What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?

Can the royal family and King Charles adapt to the modern age and stay relevant? Will Harry be able to rejoin The Firm? And what will the next generation of royalty be like?

These and more questions from our audience were answered in The Independent’s premium event on the future of the royal family.

Hosted by assistant editor Victoria Harper, the panel features bestselling authors Anna Pasternak and Tessa Dunlop, plus royal historian Jonathan Spangler.

Watch the full event here. If you enjoy our virtual events, please consider supporting The Independent with a donation or by subscribing to Independent Premium.

[24 September 2024 09:53 · Emma Guinness]

Anti-monarchists claim royal family costs ‘half a billion a year'

An anti-monarchy group has claimed that the true cost of the British royal family is “half a billion a year”.

According to Republic, the royals cost the taxpayer £510m a year, and the group has slammed this expense as unnecessary amid Labour’s bid to cut back on public spending to combat national debt.

This comes as the profits from the Crown Estate exceeded £1.1 billion, resulting in an increase of £45m to the Sovereign Grant, which is reportedly going to be used to finish ongoing renovations at Buckingham Palace.

Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, said: “If (Chancellor) Rachel Reeves thinks tough decisions are needed in these difficult times, she needs to start with the royals.

“We’re being told the Budget will be painful.

“Well if that’s true, the cuts must start at the top.

“How can we talk about cutting the winter fuel allowance while wasting half a billion pounds on the royals?

“How does the Government defend this rhetoric of painful decisions when the royals cost us enough to pay 18,000 NHS nurses?

“The Sovereign Grant is spiralling out of control, set to rise by another £45 million a year.

“Yet the true cost of the monarchy is well over half a billion pounds.”

Republic have held several demonstrations in front of members of the royal family. (AFP via Getty Images)

[24 September 2024 09:22 · Emma Guinness]

Harry pays tribute to Princess Diana at charity event in New York

The Duke of Sussex took the opportunity to honour Princess Diana at an awards ceremony in New York.

Harry, 40, attended The Diana Awards yesterday as part of a visit to the city which will see him undertake several high-profile philanthropic engagements.

Set up in honour of the late princess, the awards recognise the achievements of young people who are making a difference in the lives of others.

Harry said: “I applaud you, certainly at your age, to be on this stage, to have the confidence that you do and to be able to speak as clearly and as passionately as you do.”

He added: “I know that my mum would be incredibly proud of you guys… the way that you do it, your activism, your compassion, those two things are so true to how my mum led her life and what she believed in. And the way that you do it is incredible, so thank you.”

Prince Harry paid tribute to the young people being honoured at The Diana Awards. (Reuters)

[24 September 2024 09:13 · Emma Guinness]

Prince Harry’s US visa to remain private, judge rules

A judge has ruled that the Duke of Sussex’s US visa application will remain private following an investigation into its contents after revelations about prior drug taking.

Harry, 40, admitted to taking several illegal substances in the bombshell 2023 memoir Spare, including cocaine and magic mushrooms, raising questions about whether or not he had lied on his application.

US judge Carl Nichols ruled: “The public does not have a strong interest in disclosure of the duke’s immigration records.

“Like any foreign national, the duke has a legitimate privacy interest in his immigration status.”

This comes ahead of the November presidential election, which could see Donald Trump return to the White House. He previously said he would treat Harry like any other citizen should he have lied on his application.

A judge has ruled that Prince Harry’s US visa is to remain private. (AFP/Getty Images)