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Britain's Prince Harry arrives at St. Mary
Magdalene's church for the royal family's Christmas Day service on
the Sandringham
estate in Norfolk in this Dec. 25, 2004,
file photograph. (Agencies) |
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."
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said the costume was in "bad
taste".
A spokesman 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
memorialday 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 GreatBritain,
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should be withdrawn immediately," said the Labour MP for Newcastle upon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.
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2005-01-13 14:54