However, theirAs you all are aware, the Sussexes made their move to California in 2020 after stepping back from their royal duties in the UK. However, their transition has been filled with complications, with the most significant one revolving around Harry's visa status and his right to stay in the US long-term. Harry and Megan have applied for permanent residency and citizenship through the EB-5 Visa program, which is designed for foreign nationals who invest substantial capital in business ventures that create jobs in the US.
The Sussexes argue that their investments and funding of various charitable organizations fulfill the requirements for this visa category. However, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services have disputed their eligibility, stating that their investments and activities do not meet the economic benefit thresholds required for an EB-5 Visa.
This dispute has left Harry's immigration status in a state of legal uncertainty as the case progresses through the courts. Things reached a critical point earlier this week when Harry appeared before a federal judge via video conference to present their case. However, according to reports, the judge grew increasingly frustrated as Harry argued for their qualifications for the EB-5 visa. She questioned the economic impact of their charitable endeavors and investments, implying that they seemed more philanthropic than job-creating. In an unexpected turn, the judge threatened that if the Sussexes failed to provide sufficient evidence of economic benefit to the US within 30 days, she would have no choice but to seize their luxurious $14 million mansion in Montecito, California, as collateral until the case concluded.
This news sent Prince Harry into a fit of rage. Witnesses reported that he turned bright red, began yelling at the judge, and slammed his fist on the desk. He insisted that the judge had no right or jurisdiction to seize their private property. The judge sternly warned Harry to calm down, threatening him with contempt of court. However, tensions escalated further as Harry accused the judge of bias against him as a British national and royal. He demanded that she recuse herself from the case immediately. The judge refused, stating that her rulings were solely based on the legal merits of the application. In response, Harry unleashed a barrage of insults and profanities, calling the judge corrupt and unfit for her position. This pushed the judge over the edge, and she found Harry in direct contempt, deeming his behavior an affront to the dignity of the United States court system. Court officers promptly escorted Harry out of the virtual hearing.
The judge proceeded to issue an official warning to the Sussexes, stating that if they couldn't restrain themselves and participate civilly going forward, she would have no choice but to rule against their visa application. Needless to say, this was an absolute public relations disaster for Harry and Megan. Their aides scrambled to contain the fallout, but video footage of Harry's meltdown quickly went viral online. Royal experts described it as the worst look for a member of the royal family ever recorded in a public legal setting. Many questioned what possessed Harry to act in such an unhinged and disrespectful manner towards a federal judge. Some speculated that the pressures of their ongoing legal issues and struggles to establish themselves in the US finally took their toll, while others pointed to his true entitled and arrogant nature, brought out by the threat against their British home.
The reaction to Harry's outburst was one of shock and disapproval. Senior royal sources released rare statements criticizing his deeply concerning and regrettable behavior, which they believed brought disrepute to the monarchy. They highlighted that his actions went against everything the Queen and Prince of Wales had taught him about upholding dignity and propriety in all public engagements. Some parliamentarians even called for Harry to be stripped of his remaining royal titles and patronages in light of his outburst. The general sentiment among the UK public was one of embarrassment and dismay, as a member of the royal family had acted in such an uncontrolled manner, further tarnishing the reputation of the monarchy on the global stage.
In an attempt to do damage control, Harry and Megan released a statement apologizing for Harry's moment of intemperate reaction but stood by their legal case. They claimed that the enormous stresses from ongoing media intrusion and relentless attacks on their character had exacerbated tensions in the proceedings. However, few were convinced by these explanations. Online comments criticized Harry for playing the victim card and failing to take responsibility for his own actions. People argued that stress was no justification for verbally abusing a judge who was simply doing her job.
