In January 2020, Harry and Meghan made headlines by announcing their decision to step back from their roles as senior working royals. They cited a desire for financial independence and a chance to forge progressive new paths. During the negotiations for their departure, the couple initially moved to Vancouver Island, Canada, before settling in Meghan's hometown of Los Angeles in March 2020.
In February 2021, it was announced that Meghan was expecting their second child. Despite this, the couple remained tight-lipped about the specifics of Meghan’s pregnancy and due date, including where Meghan planned to give birth. While many assumed she would opt for a delivery in California to ensure the baby would hold dual UK-US citizenship from birth, the couple did not confirm this.
On June 4, 2021, Harry and Meghan revealed the birth of their daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, known as Lily. They stated that Lily was born at 11:40 a.m. on June 4 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California, weighing 7 pounds 11 ounces. A spokesperson confirmed that both mother and baby were healthy and settling at home.
However, discrepancies in the story have sparked widespread speculation. Some believe Lily may not have been born at the stated hospital and suggest that key details in the official record might have been fabricated or exaggerated. There is even a theory that Lily could have been born at the couple's Montecito mansion, which, if true, could jeopardize her automatic claim to U.S. citizenship.
This matter is significant because, under U.S. law, any child born on U.S. soil automatically gains citizenship, known as birthright citizenship. However, if a birth occurs outside a hospital or other regulated birthing facility, parents must provide extensive documentation proving the child was born within U.S. territory. If doubts persist about the location or witnesses of the birth, citizenship could be denied pending investigation.
Given the inconsistencies and lack of proof, there are doubts about whether Lily truly met the legal requirements for U.S. citizenship from birth. If she was not conclusively born in California as officially recorded, her citizenship status could be questioned. Since she does not have a claim to British citizenship without being born on UK soil, the scandal threatens to render her effectively stateless.
Fast forward almost a year to Lily's first birthday, which will be celebrated on June 4, 2023. Reliable sources have revealed that Harry and Meghan have been working diligently to address these issues. They have reportedly arranged for Lily's original birth certificate to be amended by Santa Barbara officials, with a new issuance date being issued last month.
The key question now is whether U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and other authorities will accept these revisions and close the matter, or if a more extensive investigation might follow. Given the admitted discrepancies, an investigation could delay or potentially deny Lily’s citizenship if authorities find the new details untrustworthy or not meeting the required evidentiary standards.
Harry and Meghan appear to be keen on resolving any questions about Lily’s American citizenship before her first birthday celebrations. However, this certificate saga has seriously impacted their credibility with officials and the public. Their initial misrepresentation of the birth details and ongoing evasiveness raise significant concerns that authorities are likely to consider.
At this point, Lily may need to go through an official citizenship application and interview process to conclusively verify her eligibility based on a preponderance of evidence.
