Prince Harry's Racist Remarks Towards Fellow Soldier

Britain's Prince Harry issued a public apology Saturday after a British newspaper published video footage of him using offensive and racist language.

The News of The World reported that Harry, third in line to the British throne, used offensive terms to refer to people from Pakistan and people of Arab descent.

Harry, who is an army lieutenant in the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals, is purported to have made the remarks in 2006 in an airport departure lounge as soldiers waited to travel to Cyprus for training exercises.

The newspaper said in a statement that in the video, Harry referred to one colleague as "our little paki friend" — using a derogatory term for people of Pakistani origin.

It reported that he called another cadet — who was wearing a headscarf — a "raghead." The newspaper said that the video was filmed by other cadets and supplied to the newspaper.

St. James's Palace — the office of Harry and his elder brother Prince William — said on Saturday that Harry was sorry for any offense caused by his use of the word "paki."

"Prince Harry fully understands how offensive this term can be, and is extremely sorry for any offense his words might cause," spokesman Patrick Harrison said in a statement.

"However, on this occasion three years ago, Prince Harry used the term without any malice and as a nickname about a highly popular member of his platoon. There is no question that Prince Harry was in any way seeking to insult his friend."

Harrison said that Harry had used the other offensive term to refer to either the Taliban or Iraqi insurgents.

"Neither the army nor the armed forces tolerates inappropriate behavior in any shape or form," Britain's defense ministry said in a statement Saturday. "The Army takes all allegations of inappropriate behavior very seriously and all substantive allegations are investigated."

The ministry said no complaint had been raised against Harry over his comments. "We are not aware of any complaint having been made by the individual," the ministry's statement said.

Last year, Harry served with the British Army in Afghanistan for 10 weeks. He was withdrawn from the combat zone after his deployment, a closely guarded secret, became public.

Harry has previously acknowledged drinking underage and smoking marijuana. In January 2005, he apologized after being pictured in a newspaper at a costume party dressed as a Nazi, complete with a swastika armband.

• Category

  News & Politics

[GrrrIamMad]

Who cares if a bunch of losers think he is "racist"? He is a Prince damnit! If you don't like him then piss off. Nobody asked you to live in the British empire.

[hamstergirl4444]

So its okay for him to shoot and kill - just don't call anyone names...*facepalm*...oh, I am so sick of this PC bullshit...being politically correct is about lip service - what matters more are ppl's actions. Some of the worst racists I've seen are oh so PC in public conversations, but their behavior - where it counts - is another story altogether. He had nothing to apologize for - there was no bad intent towards his friend.

[GrrrIamMad]

They are free to leave at any time.

[chiefHunzahua]

now tell that to the submitted and colonized people by the british empire...

[chiefHunzahua]

but you're not a prince...

[Robby Nobby]

maybe a paki raghead will kill him .

[vaxiawval]

what's offensive in calling raghead a raghead?

[Thozi1976]

What about the Paki Friend Ahmet? geez, grow some ginger pubic hair and let the man be a man (and soldier)... the army is not a ponyfarm...

yours truly kraut, Thorsten

[Lauryn Parker]

That's not raicest man I can say worse things than that I call some my friends they don't mind

[4D331z]

hey the truth hurts, does it not...and of course if you believe in a PRINCE, then you are a fool, a slave and nothing more...you are your own person,wake up and realize this, why give a fuk about this guy who doesn't even know your name more than, lets say, your neighbor...

[4D331z]

British Empire...lmao..@? WHAT EMPIRE, you have nothing left, the way it looks now, Britain is no longer a major power bit still REALLY DESPERATE to hold on to what ever meaningless power it has, pathetic really...the power plates have shifted, now any so called 3rd world nation has the ability to take on the so called empire,lmao,UK...if it was not for the whole of Europe blocking its path for them of course, and who can forget about america, you Brits follow them like the dogs...lol