Prince Harry’s visa postponement fuels accusations of ‘drug cover-up’
Prince Harry is at the center of fresh accusations of ‘drug cover-up’ following the delayed release of his US visa details – with critics saying RadarOnline.com the timing was intended to avoid embarrassment during King Charles’ high-profile visit to Washington.
The 41-year-old Duke of Sussex moved to California in 2020 after stepping back from his royal duties and later admitted in his memoir Save to previous use of cocaine, cannabis and magic mushrooms.
Campaigners including the Heritage Foundation have sought access to his visa application through a freedom of information case filed against the US State Department.
In a recent court filing, officials confirmed they had missed the March deadline for releasing documents and pushed back the next update to at least June 12 – after Charles, 77, completed a sensitive state visit to the US.
The delay has fueled claims of a deliberate attempt to suppress potentially damaging information.
“There is a perception that this has all the hallmarks of a cover-up,” a source told us. “By delaying the release until after the state visit, we avoid difficult questions taking center stage while King Charles is on the world stage.”
Another insider added: “It begs the question of whether the system is bending to protect a high-profile individual at a politically sensitive time.”
The lawsuit centers on whether Harry disclosed his past drug use when applying for a U.S. visa — a requirement that could affect eligibility under immigration rules.
“Under normal circumstances, these types of confessions would lead to additional investigation,” said a legal analyst. “That is why there is such a strong public interest in understanding how this application was handled.”
Lawyers for the Heritage Foundation have argued that transparency in the case is essential, especially given the involvement of successive US presidential administrations under Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
U.S. officials have denied any impropriety and emphasized that the delays are administrative rather than political.
In an April 13 filing, the State Department said it was still processing an “initial tranche” of documents related to the case and would release them “as soon as possible.”
Officials noted the complexity of reviewing hundreds of documents from multiple departments, including the Bureau of Consular Affairs and the Office of the Legal Adviser.
However, the timing has come under scrutiny due to the overlap with Charles’ diplomatic visit.
The monarch and his wife, Queen Camilla, 78, are expected to attend a state banquet hosted by President Trump at the White House to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The trip has already been described by observers as politically delicate, with tensions between Washington and London over issues of foreign policy and defense cooperation after Trump’s conflict with Iran erupted.
Sources suggested that Harry’s visa problem could have cast a shadow over the visit if documents had been released earlier.
“If details had come to light midway through the trip it would have risked overshadowing everything,” said one commentator. “The postponement maintains the emphasis on diplomacy rather than controversy.”
The court documents reveal the extent of the material under investigation, with 307 documents totaling 2,487 pages identified as potentially relevant.
Additional documents are available at several offices, reflecting what officials describe as a complex and time-consuming process.
Harry is formally named in the civil suit as Henry Charles Albert David, also known as the Duke of Sussex.
The legal battle has been going on for almost three years, with campaigners arguing that public figures should not be shielded from criticism.
The Trump administration has previously rejected claims that Harry received preferential treatment, stating that his visa application met all applicable rules and regulations.
