When did Prince Harry wear a Nazi uniform?
PRINCE Harry was strongly condemned after he was spotted wearing a Nazi uniform, complete with swastika armband, at a party.
The prince, then aged 20, later apologised for his actions.
When did Prince Harry wear a Nazi uniform?
Prince William had gone with his younger brother to Maud's Cotswold Costumes in January 2005 where William chose an animal outfit and Prince Harry chose a khaki-coloured uniform.
The Duke was later photographed wearing the uniform at a party causing "public outrage," according to royal biographer Robert Lacey.
The Sun broke the news on January 14, 2005, along with a photo of Harry in the uniform holding a cigarette and a drink, under the headline “Harry the Nazi”.
Lacey claimed in Battle of Brothers that the brothers "laughed all the way back" from the store, but that it was Harry who received all the negative attention.
Of the incident, Lacey said: "He apologised, but there was public outrage.
"Many observers, however, missed the point: obviously the 20-year-old Harry wasn't really a neo-Nazi, as one Labour MP alleged.
"The lad was naughty, not a Nazi. Most clearly of all, we know that Harry chose his costume in conjunction with his elder brother — the future King William V, then 22, who had laughed all the way back to Highgrove with the younger sibling he was supposed to be mentoring — and then onwards to the party together."
Why did Prince Harry wear a Nazi uniform?
Harry and Prince William were among some 250 guests at a fancy dress party at the home of the Olympic triple gold medallist Richard Meade to celebrate the 22nd birthday of the horseman's son, Harry.
Most read in The Sun
The birthday party was said to have a “colonial theme”.
The costume was apparently meant to represent the Afrika Korps.
What did Prince Harry say in his apology?
Clarence House quickly issued a written statement from the prince apologising for any offence, and there were indications that he received a dressing down from his father, Prince Charles.
In the statement, Harry said he was "very sorry if I caused any offence or embarrassment to anyone".
He added: "It was a poor choice of costume and I apologise."
Harry’s actions were widely condemned at the time.
Michael Howard, then leader of the Conservative Party, said: "I think a lot of people will be disappointed to see that photograph and it will cause a lot of offense."
more on prince harry
Howard, who is Jewish, added: "I think it might be appropriate for him to tell us himself just how contrite he now is."
READ MORE SUN STORIES
A spokesman for the Board of Deputies of British Jews said the costume "was clearly in bad taste, especially in the run-up to Holocaust Memorial Day" on January 27.
But he added: "The board is pleased that he's apologised for the incident."