Posted on 01/12/2005 5:54:55 PM PST by wagglebee
Prince Harry has apologised after being pictured on the front page of The Sun in a Nazi uniform which he wore to a fancy dress party.
The newspaper showed the Prince, with a cigarette and drink in hand, wearing a swastika armband.
The 20-year-old said: "I am very sorry if I caused any offence or embarrassment to anyone."
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, he added: "It was a poor choice of costume and I apologise."
On Harry's shirt collar was the badge of Wehrmacht - the German defence force.
The Prince was at a fancy dress party in West Littleton, Wiltshire last Saturday for the 22nd birthday party of his friend Harry Meade.
The 250-guest party had a native and colonial theme.
Prince William was reportedly present dressed in lion and leopard skin print top and tight black leggings.
Doug Henderson, Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North and a former armed forces minister, said Prince Harry should not now be allowed to become a British Army officer.
"After the revelations this evening I don't think this young man is suitable for Sandhurst," he said.
The Sun said Harry's outfit of beige shirt and trousers and Nazi insignia which was the "talk of party guests".
However, Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, a spokesman for the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain, said the incident should not be blown out of proportion
"The fact that the palace has issued an apology indicates that this was a mistake by the Prince," he said
"But having being given, the apology should now be accepted."
A spokesman for the Board Of Deputies Of British Jews said: "The board is pleased that he's 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."
It is the latest in a long catalogue of unsavoury incidents involving the Prince. Last year he was pictured attacking a photographer outside a nightclub. There were also accusations that he cheated in exams to get into Sandhurst.
Revelations about Harry's use of soft drugs, alcohol and cigarettes have also hit the headlines.
Not even a good Nazi uniform...
As a member of the British Royal Family, I am offended.
I'm guessing he didn't pay much attention in history class?
Apparently not.
LOL - Actually so am I from six degrees or so.:-)
I'm guessing he was too stoned to go to history class.
After this kid, La Pen, and some of the other stuff going on, I'm really starting to wonder, what Kerry was smoking when he talked about his "Global Test"?
If I were a Prince, and had a few spare millions, I'd
hire a keeper; someone who could say ''D'ya think that's
the right thing, Harry? After all, a few thousand Brits
died at the hands of the Nazis''
Where has common sense gone?
Common Sense is not so common
Really, you think he could have called someone from Pinewood Studios and received some smart-looking old movie clothing: Michael Kane's outfit from "The Eagle has Landed."
Don't Royal Family members go through PR training to avoid these sort of incidents?
Family going back to its racists roots I see.
"I'm sorry .. but this kid is a complete idiot to wear a shirt like that .. costume or not
I'm guessing he didn't pay much attention in history class?"
He's becoming a big embarassment to the Royal Family. Kind of like his late Grand-Aunt Princess Margaret. So far it seems to be a mixture of sheer stupidity, immaturity and lack of purpose in life. I think the Royal Family are all hoping joining the Army will whip Harry into shape. Certainly the Royal Family doesn't want him tagged with the Nazi sympathizer tag that haunted the late Edward VIII after he gave up the throne for Wallis. Photos of Wallis and him cozying up to Hitler are still enough to give people chills. Harry should have definitely known better.
History begins the day you are born unless someone takes the time and trouble to bring you up to speed. The social parasites that are the British Monarchy evidently have not bothered to inform the heir apparent. Learn from history or repeat its mistakes.
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