Once Upon a Time: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Fall from Royal Grace
Once upon a time, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were the darlings of the royal world, living a life of luxury amidst glamorous palaces, adored by the public and celebrated across the globe. Fast forward to today, and the high-profile couple seems more out of place in the world of American politics, now seen as less of a Duke and Duchess and more as a B-list fixture.
If there’s one consistent message from politicians—Democrats and Republicans alike—it’s that Harry and Meghan won’t be getting an invitation to the White House anytime soon. In fact, former President Donald Trump has made it quite clear that he’s not rolling out the red carpet for Harry. In fact, Trump would likely be the first to roll it up, lock the doors, and remind everyone just how unimpressed he is with the prince who traded his royal life for a California mansion.
In recent statements, Trump hinted that Harry’s visa status could be in jeopardy, particularly due to his past admissions of drug use. In his memoir *Spare*, Harry openly discussed his past experimentation with substances, which Trump referred to as "unforgivable." Trump even suggested that if Harry hadn't dotted all the I's and crossed all the T's in his visa application, he’d be left to deal with the consequences. “I wouldn’t protect him,” Trump said. “He betrayed the Queen. That’s unforgivable. He’d be on his own if it was up to me.”
The tension didn’t stop there. Conservative think tank, the Heritage Foundation, also raised concerns about Harry’s immigration status, suggesting he may not have been fully honest about his past drug use. While U.S. immigration officials clarified that any admissions made prior to the age of 18 wouldn’t disqualify him, and that simply publishing a confession isn't grounds to revoke a visa, the mere thought of Harry’s immigration status being under scrutiny only added fuel to the fire.
Meanwhile, across the U.S., few seem particularly concerned about where Harry lives—or whether he’s ever invited to a prestigious White House dinner. Eric Trump summed it up best, stating, “I don’t give a damn about Prince Harry, and I don’t think this country does either.” He dismissed any chatter about Harry’s past drug use, referring to him as a “black sheep,” and pointed out Meghan’s lack of popularity both in the UK and the U.S.
As for invites to state dinners and White House galas? Harry and Meghan have been notably absent from the guest lists. No administration has shown any eagerness to change that. Their dreams of basking in the American political limelight seem to be nothing more than a distant fantasy. In fact, at one point, the Sussexes even hoped to hitch a ride back to the U.S. on Air Force One after the Queen’s funeral. But the White House’s cold shoulder isn’t the only disappointment in their American adventure.
The Invictus Games, one of Harry’s most beloved projects, hasn’t exactly been a priority for NATO during Trump’s time in office either. With NATO facing global crises and tightening budgets, the idea of dedicating funds to a project spearheaded by a prince-turned-California-local simply isn’t on the table.
In the grand scheme of things, Harry and Meghan just aren’t on the White House’s radar. Despite their attempts to remain relevant to American audiences, they’ve mostly become fodder for celebrity gossip, political satire, and the occasional jab from Eric Trump. While they may have traded the grand life of royalty for the sun and palm trees of California, it seems clear that they won’t be sipping tea with the president anytime soon. For now, they’ll have to make do with their quieter life in California, far from the political glitz and glam of Washington, D.C.
