Harry to be asked to give up Duke of Sussex title to become US citizen

Moving to the US might signal the end of a Duke’s life for Prince Harry.

Prince Harry could be asked to give up his Duke of Sussex title to become a fully fledged US citizen after quitting Canada for California.

If he and wife Meghan choose to settle in the US permanently, Harry may have to formally let go of any nobility from another country.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Picture: Supplied

This week The Sun revealed the pair fled from their bolthole on Vancouver Island to Los Angeles amid the coronavirus crisis.

They took a private flight to the Los Angeles area before the borders between Canada and the US were shut.

The Sussexes will set up a new home close to Hollywood, where we are told they are currently living in lockdown with their ten-month-old son, Archie.

Prince Harry and Archie in Canada on holiday last year. Picture: Instagram

But it could mean a big change for Harry if he wants to stay across the pond permanently.

Under the Oath of Allegiance, which any new citizen to the US must take, there is something called the “Naturalisation Law”, first passed in 1790.

Applicants must declare an intention to become a US citizen, stating their understanding that upon “naturalisation” they will take an oath of allegiance.

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and the Queen. Picture: AFP

In the allegiance they have to renounce any loyalty to a “foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty”.

And any applicant born with a hereditary title also has to give up their title or order of nobility.

Part of the current Oath of Allegiance reads: “I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, State, or sovereignty, and particularly to __________ of who (which) I have heretofore been a subject (or citizen).”

As part of the process to become a full-time resident of the States the 35-year-old can apply for a Green Card in three years.

He will be asked “do you now have, or did you ever have, a hereditary title or an order or notability in any foreign country?”

The former Canada residence of Prince Harry and Meghan. Picture: AFP

If the applicant responds “yes”, they are then asked if they would give up the titles as part of a “naturalisation” ceremony.

And as part of the Oath of Allegiance applicants have to swear to give up any allegiance to any “foreign sovereignty” – that is, the Queen.

A royal insider revealed: “This move was planned for some time. They realised Canada would not work out for various reasons and they want to be based in the Los Angeles area.

“They have a big support network there. It’s where their new team of Hollywood agents and PRs and business managers are based. Meghan has lots of friends there and, of course, her mum Doria.”

The pair’s son, Archie, is a duel citizen of both the UK and the US.

News of the shock move came as US entertainment giant Disney pushed ahead with the release of a charity film about elephants, for which Meghan provides the voiceover.

Meghan Markle is looking for work in Hollywood. Picture: Getty

The deal is believed to have been done after Harry cornered the company’s boss Bob Iger at the premiere of The Lion King in London last year.

US insiders close to the couple say financial reasons were one of the biggest factors for the move.

Our source said: “Initially Harry and Meghan wanted to be based in a Commonwealth country — Canada — and earn their own money while still performing some royal duties. But their plan very quickly fell apart.

“They were told getting work visas in Canada would be difficult and because Meghan remains a US citizen — so is taxed on her worldwide income — she would end up paying in the US and Canada.

“Then the Canadian government made it clear they would not contribute to their security costs so it made much more sense to live in Hollywood and only pay US tax.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Picture: Getty