Prince Harry Apologizes Over Racist Remarks (VIDEO)

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LONDON — 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 He was withdrawn from the combat zone after his deployment, a closely guarded secret, became public.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.

Comments

[MrSteff]

Oh please everybody. Get over it. I could fathom nothing offensive in anything Harry said. It's commonly known here in America that the British media acts like silly fools when it comes to the Royals. I actually thot Harry's comments about his buddies was rawtha quite endearing. It was his directions for the training mission that I found quite incomprehensible but I guess the British could grasp it. And his casual response to the question of the color of his pubes was hilarious. Why the reporter asked is beyond me when he could go to nudecelebrities.com to see for himself, and Prince William too. The British media vis-a-vis the Royals obviously has too much time on its hands but, I confess, it's entertaining.

[ericksonil1]

I support Prince Harry through this whole BS smear campaign. Why do we need our soldiers, marines to be PC? They pay enough for everyone in the free world, so they can say what ever they damn well please. Prince Harry is a patriot who volunteered to serve in the UK Army Infantry. It is one of the most dangerous, exhausting and lonely jobs in the military. So why again is it so wrong to make some jokes and bring humor into your platoon? It helps moral and shows his men that that he is one of them not just another royal push over like his brother. There are so many movies and comedy acts that have said "words" that would offend a race of people, so why do all of you give them a pass? Why is it when the Muslims get angry we all have to bow down, apologize and start trying to make them feel better? Shut up, i'm tired of this PC walking on eggshells Islamic brainwashing. Grow up people, open your eyes and see how weak we are we are becoming. In closing I support and have lots of respect for Prince Harry and I only hope that some day he can save his country and be a strong partner with the United States.

[Lukester]

Imagine a being "prince" in this day and age! How primitive are these people? No wonder they are making primitive racists comments

[formerprosecutor]

Continued from another post

But we don't know the level of intimacy between these fellow soldiers; only they know the personal boundaries set up in that squad. To assume the banter was malicious and meant desparaging is unjust. As a mixed race person; I have intimates that can privately "banter" and joke; those same words from a stranger would offend.
It is all about context and intent; not the actual words.

This is the dynamic interpersonal interaction that ebbs and flows beyween those of different race, religions, and nationalites all through in world; in workplaces and schools and on the street.
If Harry took liberties in familiarity with his squad memebrs; they will correct him; but to assume racist intent; when we weren't even there, is misguided.

[twisted-european]

Why are the British still shoving money down the Royals' throat? There's so much good that can be done with that money ...

[smag]

Why do you care? It's not your money. You must have a shortage of problems to be concerned about such a non issue.

[Crowhaul]

Hmmm. This from the guy who wore the Nazi armband..... Why again do the English tolerate this fable called 'royalty'???

[formerprosecutor]

What Halloween costumes have you worn? Ever do anything in bad taste? I guess not.

[Skepticat]

The prince's media flacks regret that someone may have chosen to take offense over something he may have said. NEXT

[hortonhearsawho2]

GWB, McCain, and Palin and we are going to criticize whom, again...

[gi]

What is the BIG deal here.

[farmergal]

i wonder what innocuous nickname he would use for an unpopular member of his platoon?

[ProgressDon]

The kid's an i..diot

[ErikW65]

Agreed.

[formerprosecutor]

How wonderful that your children are perfect and have never stuck their foot in their mouth; or had their friends rat them off.
Lucky man!

[Gunfighter]

Stupid things to say, sure... but nowhere near as bad as things he could have said.

I spent eight years in the Marines.... you should have heard some of the stuff that came out of our mouths. Not to explain away the behavior, but when your job is the violent death of other people, you tend to be a little less considerate of feelings.

Right? Wrong? Call it what you will, but it's the truth.

Harry is a young officer, and will learn to guard his remarks a bit more closely.

[Okay]

100% accurate.

[kellygrrrl]

perhaps we Americans whould worry more about not allowing one of our "Sons of Roylaty" emabarrass US any further

[RedandGreen]

How sad; this is not the way his mother brought him up; she mixed with every poor human being, and in her charities he embraced all kinds of people and races. Harry has not only offended the Palestinian and Arab people, he offended his mother and all of us who love her memory.

[formerprosecutor]

Your reasoning is beyond reason

[ErikW65]

What's wrong with stating that the nature of Harry's words are ANTITHETICAL to his mother's life works (charity for others less fortunate)?

[soapington]

But I don't think he offended his paternal grandfather at all.

[hortonhearsawho2]

Glad my kid has never embarrassed me...right.

[hollandjwm]

This is just another empty, PC story. Harry said nothing that was even remotely offensive, and this over dramatic, faux-shock reaction is just for show.