Prince Harry says taking US citizenship has ‘crossed his mind’

The Duke of Sussex has said it has “crossed his mind,” to become a US citizen which would be a startling move that would further distance himself from the Royal firm. 

The revelation came on ABC US breakfast show Good Morning America on Friday (US time) where he also discussed his father’s cancer diagnosis, how he could “reunify” with the House of Windsor and life with his kids, Archie and Lilibet. 

The interview took place in the ski resort of Whistler, north of Vancouver, Canada, where the Sussex’s travelled to this week to mark 12 months before Prince Harry’s Invictus Games 2025.

The Invictus Games are a multi-sport event featuring wounded and injured servicemen and women which the Duke is the patron of. 
 

In Whistler, the prince slid down a skeleton course, which will feature in the games, reaching a speed of 99km/h on the track.

Harry told Good Morning America host Will Reeve that his father King Charles III had spoken to him to tell him of his illness personally. 

“I love my family and the fact that I was able to get on the plane and go see him and spend any time with him – I’m grateful for that,” he said. 

Prince Harry refused to be drawn on Charles’ prognosis telling Reeve, “That stays between me and him”.
 

The animosity between the Sussex’s in California and the rest of the House of Windsor in the UK is well known.

Asked whether it was possible the King’s illness could have a “unifying effect,” for his family, the Prince replied, “Absolutely, For sure”.

“From all these (Invictus) families I see on a day-to-day basis (I see) the strength of the family unit coming together”.

Reeve probed the prince of how he’s “processed” being so far from the royal family at this time.

“I have my own family,” Harry shot back. 

“My life in California is as it is (but) I’ve got other trips planned that will take me through the UK or back to the UK so I’ll stop and see my family”.

EXCLUSIVE: Prince Harry to @ReeveWill on visiting King Charles after cancer diagnosis: “I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go see and spend anytime with him, I’m grateful for that.” https://t.co/yDp82WU7Bk pic.twitter.com/lO0cebeO9i

— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 16, 2024

‘Very grateful to be a dad’

Asked about how his immediate family was going – Megan and the kids – the prince said that was, “classified, top secret,” but added that “the kids are doing great”.

“The kids are growing up like all kids do: very, very fast. 

“They both got an incredible sense of humour. They make us laugh and keep us grounded every single day.

“I’m just very grateful to be a dad”.
 

US citizenship

Turning to his life in the US, the prince told Reeve that it was “amazing,” and he “loved every single day”.

“Do you feel American?” said Reeve, an unexpected question that elicited a chuckle from Harry. 

“No,” he said, before adding “I don’t know how I feel”.

Asked if he would consider becoming a US citizen, the prince looked even more taken aback. 

Nonetheless, he said “I have considered it, yes”.

“American citizenship is a thought that has crossed my mind but it’s certainly not something that’s my priority right now.”

British citizens, like Prince Harry, can hold dual citizenship. As such there wold be no legal impediment to the Duke becoming officially American.
 

In the past, the British royal family has absorbed people from overseas. The late Queen’s husband Prince Phillip was from a Danish family and born in Greece. 

However, for a Royal with just British citizenship to become a citizen of another country would likely be seen as a controversial a highly proactive move on Harry’s part. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Canada on Tuesday for the Invictus Games publicity tour.

The couple were once again snapped at the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort in British Columbia on Thursday.

They spoke to participants who will be doing skeleton bobsleighing as they joined a training session in the run up to the Invictus Games.
 

On Wednesday, Charles headed straight back to work in London today before returning to Sandringham to recover after more cancer treatment.

The monarch, 75, looked in good spirits on Friday morning as he headed to Buckingham Palace for state business.

After going through his red boxes and meeting palace officials, Charles headed back to Sandringham via helicopter for some rest.

The Palace has not confirmed the type of cancer, but it is understood not to be the prostate.