Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left the Royal Family in 2020 and settled down in Montecito, California, US, where they bought a mansion. The couple has been living there ever since with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
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Since stepping down as senior royals four years ago, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have only visited the UK a handful of times, with Prince Harry occasionally visiting on his own. Indeed, the last time Meghan Markle was seen in the UK was for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in September 2022.
Now that Prince Harry has been living in the US for four years and most likely for the foreseeable future, he revealed in an interview that he has considered applying for American citizenship.
Prince Harry has considered American citizenship
As reported by The Telegraph, Prince Harry gave an interview with Good Morning America, during which he revealed that he has considered applying for US citizenship but has ‘no idea’ what is stopping him. He also explained that at the moment citizenship isn’t a ‘high priority right now’.
It would make sense for the Duke of Sussex to apply for citizenship as he is likely to live in the US for the foreseeable future and also because his wife, Meghan is a US citizen and his children have dual citizenship.
While Prince Harry and Meghan were still working royals and living in the UK, Meghan had begun the process of obtaining UK citizenship but did not complete it.
During the interview, Prince Harry was also asked if he ‘feels American’ to which he replied ‘I don’t know how I feel’. It was after this question that the Duke of Sussex said he has considered applying for American citizenship.
However, if Prince Harry were to apply for American citizenship, he would have to give up a few things.
Prince Harry would have to give up his titles
Like with any application for citizenship in any country, there are rules and things the person applying needs to do to be considered. If Prince Harry were to apply for American citizenship, he would have to give up his titles.
That means he would no longer be able to refer to himself as the Duke of Sussex or any other title he was given whilst a senior member of the Royal Family.
As reported by The Telegraph, US immigration policy states:
any applicant who has any titles of heredity or positions of nobility in any foreign state must renounce the title or the position.
If Prince Harry were to apply, he would have to publicly renounce his titles and the speech would be recorded. Part J of the USCIS policy manual, about the oath of allegiance requires:
The applicant must expressly renounce the title in a public ceremony and USCIS must record the renunciation as part of the proceedings.
If Prince Harry refused to renounce his titles, it would be seen as he is not attached to the Constitution. Prince Harry’s grandfather, Prince Philip was required to do the same before he was allowed to marry Queen Elizabeth.
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Sources used:
The Telegraph: ‘Prince Harry has ‘considered’ becoming a US citizen – but he’d have to give up his titles’
The Washington Post: ‘Prince Harry says, yeah, he has considered becoming a U.S. citizen, maybe’
Page Six: ‘Prince Harry may have to renounce his royal title if he becomes a US citizen’
