Prince Harry’s ‘deep regret’ over shock memoir reveal

Prince Harry is said to be uneasy about revealing a particularly personal detail in his controversial memoir as thousands of people demand a “rethink” on an award to be given to the royal.

Prince Harry is said to have “deep regret” over disclosing past drug use in his controversial 2023 memoir Spare.

The royal is currently being investigated over speculation that he could have lied about his drug use on his US visa application, which could see him deported from America where he has lived since 2020.

Prince Harry is said to be “deeply regretting” he made his past drug use public. Picture: AFP

“The couple have taken legal advice because they’re seriously worried that if Donald Trump wins the next election Harry’s visa may be revoked. Trump has insisted that if Harry is found to have lied on his visa application about his admitted drug taking, he could be asked to leave the country,” royal expert Tom Quinn told the Mirror.

“Harry initially thought this couldn’t possibly happen to him as the normal rules don’t apply to a Royal prince, but he is increasingly realising that in the United States being a Prince doesn’t actually count for very much. But one thing is for sure Harry deeply regrets ever making his drug-taking public. It never occurred to him that this might end up threatening his whole life plan.”

Prince Harry’s memoir Spare further widened the rupture between him and the Royal Family. Picture: Supplied

The couple relocated to the US in 2020 after saying they intended to step back from their senior Royal duties and seek financial independence from the monarchy. However, Prince Harry’s new life has been disrupted with the initiation of a lawsuit by The Heritage Foundation, a think tank group.

This follows the Duke of Sussex’s admission of past drug use in Spare. US visa applicants are required to disclose any history of drug use when completing the form. In his memoir, Prince Harry spoke about using magic mushrooms and cannabis.

Prince Harry began a new life in the US with American wife Meghan Markle in 2020 Picture: AFP

In his 2023 publication, Spare, Harry recounts an experience with magic mushrooms: “I stared at the bin. It stared back. ‘What-staring? ‘ Then it became … a head. I stepped on the pedal and the head opened its mouth. A huge open grin.”

The think tank has since accused Prince Harry of dishonesty about his previous drug use on his application and benefiting from preferential treatment. The form is currently under scrutiny by Washington DC Judge Carl Nichols.

SPORTS NETWORK DEFENDS HARRY OVER AWARD

Meanwhile, Prince Harry has been defended as a petition calling for a “rethink” on the decision to give him an award for veterans reaches almost 60,000 signatures.

The Duke of Sussex is set to receive the Pat Tillman Award for his work with the Invictus Games, which celebrates the sporting achievements of wounded, sick and injured service people.

But tens of thousands of people, including the late Tillman’s mother, Mary, believe there are more deserving recipients.

Pat Tillman, a former US football star, joined the US Army after the September 11 attacks and was killed in Afghanistan in 2004.

Prince Harry is set to receive the Pat Tillman Award for his work with the Invictus Games, which celebrates the sporting achievements of wounded and sick service people. Picture: AFP

Mary Tillman said there were other “far more fitting” recipients for award bearing her son’s name, which was set up by ESPN in 2014 to recognise people “with a strong connection to sports” who have served others “in a way that echoes” her son’s legacy.

“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” she told the Daily Mail earlier this week.

“There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans,” she added. “These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has.”

World Atheltics President Sebastian Coe (L) speaks with Carole Middleton as they attend Wimbledon. Picture: AFP

Now the sporting network behind the award, ESPN, has defended its decision, hailing the “incredible” work of the games.

“While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating,” a spokesman told Sky News.

Meanwhile, Princess Catherine’s parents Michael and Carole are making their second public outing since the announcement of their daughter’s cancer diagnosis at Wimbledon.

The couple are set to appear in the Royal Box, which has the tournament’s best view of Centre Court.

KATE AND WILLIAM’S MAJOR STAFF MOVE

Prince William and Kate have made a major shake-up to their team, hiring a retail titan to take the helm of their charity.

The former boss of British supermarket giant Tesco, Sir David Lewis, has been named a director of The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Known as “Drastic Dave” for his bold approach to cost-cutting measures that others shy away from, Sir David has been hailed as a “genius” appointment by insiders, The Sun reports.

The 59-year-old, who was knighted in 2021 for services to the food industry and business, worked at Unilever for 27 years, launching the now iconic Dove brand from scratch.

Former Tesco CEO Dave Lewis as been appointed a director of The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Picture: Getty

Then in 2014, he left to become the chief executive officer of Tesco after it posted a £6.4 billion (A$12.1b) loss. Two years later, Tesco reported whopping annual profits of £162 million (A$307.79m).

William and Catherine’s charity supports non-profit initiatives in conservation, environmental issues, early childhood development, mental health, emergency services, and homelessness.

Princess Catherine and Prince William have made a major change to their team.

According to the charity’s website, their aim is to “mobilises leaders, businesses and people so that together we can address society’s greatest challenges.”

Under the leadership of former Tory leader Lord Hague, the trustees each take on a mix of roles encompassing strategic direction, governance, oversight, and fundraising.

A royal source told the Mail Sir David’s appointment is “genius” and will lay “strong foundations” for William and Catherine’s work.

However, the couple seem to have shelved plans to appoint a new CEO to run their royal household.

They announced a search for a new executive last September amid reports the future king wanted a “revolutionary” shake-up.

The foundation covers all the couple’s campaigning work – including William’s Earthshot prize and Catherine’s focus on early years education.

The foundation was first set up back in 2009 by Prince William and Prince Harry to take forward their charity work.

After their marriages to Princess Catherine and Meghan Markle in 2011 and 2018 respectively, the two women became patrons of the charity.

However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left the Royal Foundation in 2019, shortly before they quit the Royal Family in early 2020 and moved to the US.

Originally published as Prince Harry’s ‘deep regret’ over shock memoir reveal