Prince Harry Apologizes for Slur

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 10, 2009 9:35 PM CST

(Newser) – Prince Harry's in hot water again. The young royal issued an apology tonight for referring to a Pakistani member of his military outfit as "our little Paki friend," the Times of London reports. In a newly surfaced video made during his officer training in 2006, then 21-year-old Harry also tells a camouflaged member of his troupe that he looks like a "raghead," and he has a little fun at the expense of his grandmother, the queen.

Harry is videotaped pretending to end a fake phone call by saying, amid laughter, “Send my love to the corgis and grandpa.” He then adds: “God Save You.” A palace statement says Harry—who had to apologize a year ago for wearing a swastika—made the "Paki" reference without malice about a friend. “Prince Harry fully understands how offensive this term can be, and is extremely sorry for any offense his words might cause.” By "raghead," he was referring to Iraqi or Taliban insurgents, it said.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

Britain's Prince Harry listens as his brother Prince William delivers a speech in west London Thursday Jan. 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Toby Melville, pool)

In this June 5, 2008, file photo, Britain's Prince Harry poses for photos, as he holds a baby. (AP Photo)

Britain's Prince Harry closes a deal on the phone at the offices of city traders ICAP in London, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth ,pool)

This is a Monday February 18, 2008 file photo of Britain's Prince Harry, as he sits atop a military vehicle in the Helmand province, Southern Afghanistan. (AP Photo)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

Shannonals

Jan 12, 2009 4:32 AM CST

I really don't think I see what the problem is, all military members make remarks a majority of civilians today would think would be not be politically correct.

riffran

Jan 12, 2009 12:04 AM CST

so I geuss raghead would be waaaay inapropriate......lol...just being cynical....I don't get the hubub....If I was refered to as "my little Tex friend" I wold go "whatever"...."paki" seems harmless to me....but maybe I'm missing something

alienvv

Jan 11, 2009 9:09 PM CST

He is just being normal and the public is hungry for every stupid detail...Just leave the kid alone would you...So what if he said some joke here and there...Oh my God media is scary...

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He also asks, 'How do you feel? Gay?'
Guardian (UK)

'We expect better from our Royal Family'
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Prince Harry • racism • apology • British royals • Royal Family

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