A tax expert has revealed whether Prince Harry should apply for US citizenship or a green card – and what consequences that would have for the Royal Family.
The Royal Family were cautioned by a tax expert over Prince Harry’s US citizenship, as it could be a “dagger in the heart” for the Firm’s finances.

Prince Harry has been living in America since 2020, after he and wife Meghan Markle stepped down as senior working royals, however, it is not known what visa the royal is on.

However, he is entitled to apply for a green card through his marriage to Meghan, which would make him a permanent resident in the US for tax purposes, with his worldwide income being taxed in the US, rather than the UK.

However, that would mean that he would also have to disclose aspects of the Royal Family’s finances to the US government.

Now, a tax expert said that the royals will want Harry to stay on a diplomatic visa (A1) as both parties would benefit from it.

Prince Harry

The Royal Family would not want Prince Harry to get a US citizenship or green card, says expert

“I think they have common ground wanting him to stay on an A-1. If he’s consulted tax advisers then he will be staying on an A-1.

“The A-1 is his golden ticket. If he’s on an A-1 he can sit here (in the US) forever. The US would not care.”

He added: “The US has a foreign policy interest in not triggering US tax residency for diplomats. It is good diplomatic practice.

“It keeps things private to Great Britain, not just the foreign assets Prince Harry owns, but also other assets of the Royal Family on which he is listed.”

The expert said that if Harry were to get a green card or US citizenship, he would have to disclose the interest in his trusts to the US Internal Revenue Service.

Prince Harry would have to disclose some of the royals’ financial aspects if he was a US citizen (Image: Getty)

He explained: “Doubtless they’re saying spare him from a green card, that’s a tax dagger in the heart of the Royal Family.

“All that entanglement that probably exists between the Royal Family and his finances would be subject to disclosure. If you said you weren’t going to disclose it because it’s the Royal Family there would be huge blowback.”

But he also noted there would be financial downsides if the duke is on a diplomatic visa, as he wouldn’t be able to benefit from tax breaks.

He said: “Prince Harry will not be able to file jointly with his spouse and take advantage of ‘married filing jointly” tax rate brackets.”

The royal is said to receive a multi-million-pound payout on his birthday later this month (September 15) from a family trust fund set up by the late Queen Mother when he was ten years old.

Prince Harry is entitled to apply for a green card due to his marriage to Meghan Markle (Image: Getty)

If he is on a diplomatic visa the money from the trust would be taxed in the UK, but if he is on a green card it would be considered worldwide income and he would have to be taxed in the US.

Immigration experts have previously suggested that Harry could be on a rare A-1 Head of State visa, which is used by heads of state and royal family members since he is fifth in line to the throne.

The A-1 Head of State visa is different to the A-1 visa, given to senior diplomats, as A-1 Head of State visa holders are free to enter the US without working as heads of state or royal family members.

The outlet added that the Duke could also be on an O-1 visa, which is a temporary nonimmigrant visa for foreign nationals with extraordinary ability.

However, it has never been confirmed which type of visa Harry applied for.