In an extraordinary statement on Saturday, President Trump revealed that he will not pursue the deportation of Prince Harry for potential violations of his US visa application.
While many Sussex detractors in the UK may be rejoicing that he won’t be sent back to their midst, this decision is far from an exoneration. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain under the scrutiny they so richly deserve.
Trump’s choice demonstrates diplomatic restraint that avoids needlessly inflaming UK—US relations. More importantly, by withholding deportation, he spares the Monarchy—an institution he deeply admires—unnecessary embarrassment.
A deportation battle would not only risk humiliating King Charles also hand Harry and Meghan a fresh opportunity to cast themselves as victims. Trump, ever-attuned to public sentiment, denied them that gift. But don’t think for a minute he let them off the hook.
With his usual flair for capturing the public mood, Trump delivered a wincing assessment of Harry’s wife that so many of us on both sides of the Atlantic share: Markle’s influence has been toxic.
When asked about deporting Prince Harry, he responded: “I don’t want to do that. I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.” Just when I thought I couldn’t appreciate this common-sense president any more!
Since relinquishing their royal duties, Harry and Meghan have aggressively cultivated an image of victimhood—wronged by the monarchy, the media, and society at large.
Their move to America was framed as an escape from the suffocating constraints of royalty but quickly morphed into a platform for self-promotion.
High-profile interviews, lucrative Netflix deals, and Harry’s memoir Spare—where he detailed extensive past drug use, potentially jeopardising his US visa—were less about personal revelation and more about manipulating public sentiment.
Their actions have backfired, exposing them not as victims, but as inveterate opportunists.
Donald Trump previously indicated he could reopen an investigation into Prince Harry's US Visa documentationReuters / GettyTrump’s decision to spare Prince Harry deportation is pragmatic. Rather than turning him into a martyr, Trump strategically avoided giving the Sussexes another opportunity to play the persecuted couple.
Had he pursued legal action, the pair would surely have seized on the controversy to paint themselves as victims of both the British monarchy and America’s current leadership—whom their history show, they openly disdain. By refusing to engage, Trump denied them the stage they so desperately crave.
With the countless consequential initiatives Mr Trump has undertaken in the first few weeks of his presidency, it is remarkable that he would focus in on the Sussexes at this moment.
But, Trump has proven once again that he understands the power of cultural flashpoints. The man dominating the global stage at the moment is taking the opportunity to capture the public mood on two of the world's most infamous and divisive figures, who have historically waded into political matters, at odds with the President.
Harry and his wife have intruded into politics and embraced the leading Democratic players. Markle’s vocal criticism of Trump and attempts to influence the 2020 election alienated her from much of the American public—and certainly from Trump himself.
The Duchess acted particularly disgracefully toward President Trump while she was still a working member of the Royal Family. Then, the only American member of the Royal Family, she was also one of few members who declined to turn up to meet the President and Melania in 2019 when they travelled to the UK for a state visit.
LATEST MEMBERSHIP OPINION:
Harry is "prepared to take the risk" in returning to the UK - but will not bring Meghan and the childrenPAThe proceedings included a private lunch with the late, beloved Queen Elizabeth and other royals, followed by a state banquet hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Then-Prince Charles, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, Princess Catherine, and even Prince Harry all attended events with Trump.
Meghan gave “maternity leave” as her excuse, which looks rather thin considering the diplomatic importance of the visit from her native country and the fact that she wouldn't have trouble finding a babysitter.
However, Meghan's absence led to speculation that it was likely politically motivated, considering her prior remarks about Trump, including calling him "divisive" and "misogynistic" before joining the royal family. If she has earned Trump’s ire, it is not without cause.
Trump’s decision may have spared Harry from deportation, but it has only set the stage for an even harsher public reckoning.
By withholding legal action, Trump denied the Sussexes a controversy they desperately needed to revive their waning influence. Without a crisis to exploit, they are left with nothing but their own unravelling credibility.
With their whingeing and wokery so out of fashion and their public image in freefall, it’s difficult to imagine the Sussexes regaining traction in Trump’s America. By choosing the diplomatic high road, Trump has simultaneously protected the Special Relationship while channelling the global public’s disdain for the “troubling” self-promoter who caused so much strain for her husband’s family.
As for President Trump’s latest verbal broadside against her, one thing is certain—he’s just getting warmed up.
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