Prince Harry has apologised for wearing a swastika armband to a friend's fancy dress party.
Clarence House issued a statement in response to a photograph published on the front page of the Sun newspaper under the headline, "Harry the Nazi".

It read: "Prince Harry has apologised for any offence or embarrassment he has caused. He realises it was a poor choice of costume."

But there have been calls for the prince to make his own public apology.

Tory leader Michael Howard told BBC Radio 4's Today programme Prince Harry should appear in person, rather than talk through a spokesman.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said the costume was in "bad taste".

But they were "pleased" he had apologised for the incident.

"It was clearly in bad taste, especially in the run-up to holocaust memorial day on the 27th of this month, which the Royal Family will be taking a leading role in commemorating."

The picture was taken at the weekend at a friend's birthday party in Wiltshire, which had the fancy dress theme "colonial and native".

Prince Harry, 20, appears to be wearing a German desert uniform and a swastika armband. He is also holding a drink and cigarette.

Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, of the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain, said: "The fact that the palace has issued an apology indicates that this was a mistake by the prince.

"But having been given, the apology should now be accepted."

But the Queen's former assistant press secretary, Dickie Arbiter, said: "This young man has got to come up front and be seen in person making an apology."

Former armed forces minister Doug Henderson MP said the picture showed the prince was "not suitable" for the prestigious royal military academy Sandhurst, which he is due to attend later this year.

"If it was anyone else, the application wouldn't be considered. It should be withdrawn immediately," said the Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North.

The prince, who is third in line to the throne, hit the headlines last year after a scuffle with a photographer at a nightclub.

The Sun reported that Prince William was also at the party - dressed as a lion.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4170083.stm

I have to say I'm not overly interested in our royal family;seems to me those in European countries lead much more 'normal' lives and have far more realistic and healthy values. Some in the press have said that they (young UK royals) live in some kind of bubble, ignorant of so much in the world. Bad judgement on Harry's part, but I bet he won't do that again in a hurry.....

When I heard about this and saw the picture I was just floored. That just might have to do with the fact that I am Jewish. The picture was not really offensive, or at least not in my eyes...but just bad judgment. Every night I watch 'Extra' (which is a program here in the states that is all gossip about the world of the rich and famous) and I just love to hear about the royal family and what scandel is brewing at the time.

Well, I found the picture to be very offensive and I'm one of the forgotten victims of the Holocaust, a Romany. But I wouldn't have expected anything less from this particular member of the Royal family, as I've seen him in action many times when I've been monitoring the activities of his favourite hunt, the Beaufort. I also used to live in Wiltshire, near the farm this party was held at and nothing surprises me where that crowd are concerned. Some of those present stormed the House of Commons when the Hunting Bill was being debated, and were consequently arrested.

Rose

The first time I heard of it, I was in the grocery store in line and I saw that issue of "The Sun" and my mouth just dropped. I personally think if his wonderful mother (God rest her soul) were still alive, he wouldn't be doing things like this. I think him and Prince William really lack her guidance, as it's very obvious in their choices these days. :(

How right you are. Their father certainly isn't a role model with his morals.

Rose

How right you are. Their father certainly isn't a role model with his morals.

Rose

LOL Rose !!! :D :D You're so bad !! :D Charles had such sexy phone calls with Camilla !!! :rolleyes: :D

Phil :p

.
Come on guys - something always offends to the max - SOMEONE. I do agree it was not in the best of taste, but WOULD YOU HAVE ALSO HAVE THOUGHT IT IN BAD TASTE IF HE HAD DRESSED AS A CONVICT? Does anyone get my point?
.

dmpdbd

whether he likes it or not, Prince Harry as a member of the Royal family, moreover as a member who is 3rd in line to the throne, is supposed to have a certain behavior.

Wearing the uniform of an army whose ideology was to murder Jewish, Romani, homosexuals, disabled people etc etc is not the behavior the people of the United Kingdom are expecting from him. Especially when the UK was so badly hit by the German bombs during WW2.

Also, his behavior was certainly not the one his own family expected from him, since the British monarchy being from German descent, his great great grand father, King George V changed their family name from Saxe Coburg Gotha to Windsor to be closer to his people who at that time, hated the Kaiser Wilhelm and the Germans.

And to answer your question, yes, I would have been less offended had he worn an inmate uniform.

Phil

And so would I rather have seen him in a convict outfit, Phil, and I have to say that it was reported he didn't actually want the uniform he wore. They didn't have the one he wanted in his size. That was an SS uniform!! I would say that a spell in the Army is going to do him some good but my experience of the average British Army officer isn't very good at all, and I have lived amongst them!!

It wasn't just George V who changed his name. The most famous uncle of Charles, Lord Mountbatten, used to be a Battenburg!!

The Royals were just becoming a bit more popular after the disgusting way they treated Diana and her death, but this episode put them back a whole lot more. And Camilla will NEVER be accepted so if Charles wants to be king at some time he can give up all thoughts of marrying her.

Rose