Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is contemplating a potential legal challenge to retain his royal title while pursuing American citizenship.
The prince recently revealed that he had explored the idea of becoming an American citizen, but was informed that he would need to relinquish his Duke of Sussex title in accordance with U.S. law.
Amidst this dilemma, family lawyer Alphonse Provinziano suggested that Prince Harry could potentially challenge the existing regulations to safeguard his title should he decide to pursue American citizenship.
Provinziano highlighted a discrepancy in the law, pointing out that under U.S.C.
1448, individuals seeking U.S. citizenship must renounce any foreign titles, except for Native Americans who are exempt from this requirement.
The lawyer drew attention to the precedent of several Americans, including Princess Grace of Monaco and at least seven others, who have retained their foreign royal titles.
Prince Harry’s unique situation, being married to an American citizen, Meghan Markle, and residing in California with their children, adds complexity to his citizenship pursuit.
In a bid to uphold his royal status, Prince Harry may find himself embroiled in a legal battle that could potentially escalate to the Supreme Court.
Provinziano suggested another avenue for the prince: lobbying Parliament to amend the law to accommodate his circumstances and allow him to retain his Duke of Sussex title.
The intricacies of this legal conundrum stem from the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, as Prince Harry faces a situation where he is treated differently than Native Americans in terms of retaining his royal title while obtaining U.S. citizenship.
The unresolved nature of this issue indicates that the matter is likely to culminate in significant legal proceedings.
Furthermore, the prince’s familial ties to the United States, with Meghan Markle and their daughter Princess Lilibeth Diana being American citizens, underscore the complexity of his citizenship status.
Their son, Prince Archie Harrison, holds dual citizenship as a naturalized American citizen and a member of the British royal family.
While Prince Harry has indicated that acquiring U.S. citizenship is not a current priority for him, the potential legal battle over his royal title and citizenship status looms large.
His unique position within the royal family sets the stage for a legal showdown that could have far-reaching implications.
In a separate development, King Charles is set to meet with Chancellor Rishi Sunak for a private audience following his cancer diagnosis announcement.
The monarch’s health updates and meetings with key officials underscore the ongoing challenges faced by the royal family amidst personal and public health concerns.
As the legal and personal dramas unfold within the British royal family, Prince Harry’s potential legal battle for his royal title encapsulates the complexities and nuances of his transatlantic journey towards American citizenship while navigating his royal heritage.