Prince Harry Will Most Likely Get Diplomatic Status in the U.S.
Since announcing their intent to step down as senior working members of the British royal family in January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex have given the public periodic updates on what’s next for them. However, in the recent weeks following their final royal engagements, those updates have come to a screeching halt.
The Sussexes have decided to shutter their Sussex Royal Instagram account and website, to rebrand elsewhere at a later date, and it appears that amid the coronavirus crisis, they won’t be making any updates about what’s next for them.
Still, we do know that just before the border between the U.S. and Canada closed, the duo left their rented home on Vancouver Island for their new permanent home base in Los Angeles, California. Now questions are stirring regarding Prince Harry’s citizenship, and we think we have an answer.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s marriage caused a ton of financial red tape
Though she applied for U.K. citizenship, the Duchess of Sussex never achieved it. She has remained an American citizen. Prince Harry has British citizenship, while baby Archie is a dual citizen. Unfortunately, because of this the Sussexes’ union was a financial headache.
The duchess has continued to pay U.S. taxes. Prince Harry will continue to pay the U.K. taxes on the £10million and £7milllion inheritances he received from his late mother, Princess Diana, and the Queen Mother, respectively. Now that he will be living in LA permanently, he will be required to give the U.S. a chunk as well. Likewise, as he and the duchess work toward financial independence, the money they receive from Prince Charles is likely to be taxed.
The duo has reportedly hired U.S. tax experts to help guide them on best practices.
Prince Harry’s U.K. citizenship might be a nightmare for the couple
At present, the Sussexes are in LA practicing self-isolation in a bunker near Hollywood. However, the are reportedly eying an $18 mansion as their permanent home amid Megxit.
“They are genuinely excited about the next chapter,” royal expert Katie Nicholl told Vanity Fair. “It hasn’t been an easy time for them but they are looking forward to starting a new chapter and being the couple they want to be. They really want to make a difference on a global level and they are very ambitious about what they want to achieve.”
Still, their new Hollywood life could certainly live the pair exposed financially. “If Harry becomes a resident of the United States, his entire worldwide wealth would become subject to US taxation, which I know they want to avoid,” International tax planning lawyer Dianne Mehany told Town & Country.
Prince Harry could receive diplomatic status in the U.S.
Instead, the pair might have a different strategy. Since the Sussexes are looking to remain in the U.S. for an extended period of time, the duke will need a visa of some kind. Matteo Carrera, an immigration law researcher at New York’s Cardozo Law School told The Telegraph, the prince will most likely be granted an A1 visa which is reserved for “diplomats and government officials.”
From there, the prince could adjust his status to a green card, and in three years time became an American citizen. However, considering the financial implications, we doubt he’ll go that far. For now, the duke and duchess are focused on family.
“What’s most important right now is the health and wellbeing of everyone across the globe and finding solutions for the many issues that have presented themselves as a result of this pandemic,” they stated in their final Sussex Royal Instagram post. “As we all find the part we are to play in this global shift and changing of habits, we are focusing this new chapter to understand how we can best contribute. While you may not see us here, the work continues.”
