King Charles made a surprise departure from the UK for an official visit to Northern Ireland, while his estranged son, Prince Harry, continues to navigate legal troubles surrounding his U.S. visa status. The monarch, accompanied by Queen Camilla, attended a series of engagements at the Commercial Court in the heart of Belfast on Wednesday.
While Queen Camilla joined him for most events, Charles conducted separate meetings with key political figures. The King held private audiences with Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O’Neill and, separately, with DUP Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.
Buckingham Palace released an official statement along with a photo from the meeting, stating: “This afternoon at Hillsborough Castle, The King received the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.”
While the details of their discussion remain undisclosed, it was noted that King Charles conversed in fluent Irish as he welcomed the political leaders, further emphasizing his commitment to fostering relations within Northern Ireland.
The visit coincided with developments in Prince Harry’s ongoing U.S. visa controversy. A federal judge recently ordered the Department of Homeland Security to release redacted versions of Harry’s immigration documents. While the files did not indicate an immediate threat of deportation for the Duke of Sussex, his legal status remains under scrutiny.
The right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation has intensified its legal challenge, filing a second lawsuit to obtain additional immigration records related to Prince Harry’s residency in the United States. As King Charles continues his official duties abroad, Prince Harry’s legal battle over his visa status remains a contentious issue, drawing significant attention from both British and American media.
