Harry apologises for calling soldier 'Paki'

Updated on: 12 January,2009 06:52 AM IST |
Agencies |

Was criticised by lawmakers, Muslim groups and Pak public

Was criticised by lawmakers, Muslim groups and Pak public

Videos purportedly shot by Britain's Prince Harry, which included offensive language, have prompted an official apology from the prince and the royal family.

According to the News of the World, which released the videos on its Web site, the videos show British soldiers while a voice presumed to be Harry's calls one solider a "Paki." In another clip the voice tells soldier wearing a cloth on his head that he looks "like a raghead".

A spokesman for Prince Harry apologised in a statement on Saturday after the videos surfaced online. The spokesman said the prince who is third in line to the British throne "understands how offensive this term can be, and is extremely sorry for any offense his words might cause".

The videos, filmed during his military service in 2006, were shot by the prince, according to the Web site.

In one video, a voice from behind the camera says "Ah, our little Paki friend... Ahmed", as the camera zooms in on a soldier from across the room. The video does not show Prince Harry's face.

The royal family said the 'Paki' term was a nickname for a friend in his platoon.

"There is no question that Prince Harry was in any way seeking to insult his friend," the statement said.
"It is quite common for names to be used in the military.... He's a serviceman first and foremost, but people see him as a prince first and he has to be careful of what he says," added Dickie Arbiter, a former press secretary to Queen Elizabeth II.

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