Prince Harry said he had “considered” becoming a US citizen but admitted it was not high on his list of priorities.
The royal told ABC's “Good Morning America” that he “loves” his new life in America so much that he may take the citizenship test – even if it would force him to give up his royal titles.
“It's amazing, I love every single day,” he said of his life in California.
Asked what would prevent him from becoming a U.S. citizen, he added, “I have no idea.” I stand here with these guys. “American citizenship is a thought that has crossed my mind, but is not a high priority for me.”
Prince Harry said he has “considered” becoming a US citizen and said he “loves every single day” of his life in California with Meghan Markle
The Duke of Sussex during the interview in Whistler with ABC correspondent Will Reeve
Under U.S. immigration policy, Harry would be forced to renounce his royal titles if he applied for American citizenship
The Duke of Sussex gave the interview in Whistler, Canada, after facing a week of backlash for the launch of his website Sussex.com.
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However, the US citizenship process would be different for Harry than for most, as he would be subject to requirements regarding his royal titles.
According to U.S. immigration policy, “any applicant holding a hereditary title or position of nobility in a foreign state must renounce the title or position.”
The policy also requires that Harry “expressly renounce the title in a public ceremony and USCIS must record the renunciation as part of the process.”
Harry has also previously faced scrutiny over his US visa after admitting to “multiple” instances of drug use in his memoir Spare.
In “Spare” and the subsequent TV blitz, Harry admitted to using cocaine, cannabis and magic mushrooms. He said marijuana and psychedelics really helped him with his “trauma,” while cocaine was more of a “social thing.”
The admission prompted calls from some activists seeking to clarify whether he had told U.S. officials about his drug use when applying for residency.
It was later claimed that he had been “truthful” in his visa application and had confessed to drug use, which included taking the hallucinogenic Amazonian plant ayahuasca, which he described as “cleaning the windscreen, removing the filters of life”.
The Duke of Sussex gave the interview in Whistler, Canada, after a week in which he and Meghan Markle faced backlash over the launch of their website Sussex.com. The pair are pictured with ABC presenter Will Reeve in Whistler on Wednesday
The Duke was followed by television crews as he prepared for the Invictus Games' One Year to Go event
Meghan smiles as she steps out in a black puffer coat, black jeans, ski boots and sunglasses
The Duke considered US citizenship three years ago, although his plans were put on hold due to Covid-19.
At the time, a royal source told the Times: “Prince Harry will not be applying for a green card or US citizenship in the foreseeable future.”
“Although his status as the husband of a U.S. citizen would pave his way to permanent residency, the Sussexes' plans to settle in America are believed to be on hold because of the virus.”
Harry also discussed the royal's health, speaking publicly for the first time since Charles postponed all public duties following the diagnosis last week.
When asked by GMA host Will Reeve how “emotional” the short trip home was for him, Harry replied: “Um, look, I love my family.” The fact that I can get on a plane and visit him at any time I’m grateful to have been able to spend time with him.”
Reeve, the son of the late Superman actor Christopher Reeve, who was paralyzed in 1995, said: “I have also found in my own life that an illness in the family can have a rousing or sort of reunifying effect on a family.” Is that possible in this case?'
Speaking in Whistler, Canada, Harry replied: “Absolutely.” Yes, I'm sure. In all of these families, I see the strength of the family unit coming together every day. I think any illness, any illness brings families together.”
Before his bombshell interview in which he said he was considering giving up his royal titles for US citizenship, Harry found time to try his hand at skeleton bobsleigh
Prince Harry reacts after sliding down the track on a skeleton sled in Whistler yesterday
When asked by an audience member if she planned to join Harry on the sleigh, Meghan replied: “I can't!”
The interview follows a week of announcements from Harry and his wife, the Duchess of Sussex.
Meghan signed a deal with Lemonada Media to record new podcast shows, and the company will distribute her previous series.
Her Archetypes podcast, about female stereotypes, only ran for one series before a lucrative deal with Spotify ended in 2023.
The couple also relaunched their Archewell website, the name of their foundation, and renamed it “The Office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
A film crew led by Mr. Reeve has been following Harry and his wife Meghan Markle since their arrival in Canada on Tuesday for a countdown event to the Invictus Games in Whistler and Vancouver
Yesterday, the Sussexes didn't appear fazed as they took part in activities at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistlers One Year To Go winter training camp while being followed by a camera crew.
During the celebrations, Harry tried his hand at skeleton bobsleigh, although Meghan chose not to don her winter sports gear.
While Meghan wasn't taking part in the bobsleigh fun at the Whistler Sliding Center in British Columbia, she was able to enjoy every aspect of her husband's ride as he stepped off the sled – before enthusiastically chasing after his wife and Invictus volunteers after disembarking.
Harry was in good spirits at the event on Wednesday
Yesterday Meghan wore a black puffer jacket, leggings and a dark blue hat
The couple chatted as film crews followed them around Whistler
Meghan beamed with pride as she held up her phone to snap pictures and clips as Harry raced towards the end of the song.
She braced for the -4°C (25°F) temperatures in a black padded jacket and leggings, as well as a navy hat and scarf, while her husband kept it casual in gray pants and a black Invictus Games-branded insulated jacket – rounded off with a white crash helmet.
When asked by an audience member if she planned to try out the daring sport with her husband, Meghan laughed back, “I can't!”
The couple, fresh from a romantic dinner on Valentine's Day, were both in high spirits as they entered the venue for their Invictus Games One Year to Go tour.
As Harry beamed as he whizzed past on his bobsled, Meghan joked “I can hear him” as his sleigh took off, filming him on her phone as he whizzed past.
After arriving at high speed and to the sound of Invictus-branded cowbells being waved by spectators, a meet and greet ensued on a platform overlooking the track with athletes preparing to appear at the event prepare for next year.
Athletes waiting to be featured included Canadian veteran and mental health advocate Mark Beare, former Estonian soldier and amputee Rasmus Penno, and Nigerian powerlifter and former soldier Peacemaker Azuegbulam.