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RACE JIBE FURY

Wife of soldier branded n***** by members of Prince Harry’s former regiment demands apology

Members of the Blues and Royals are currently being investigated over racist WhatsApp jibes

The wife of one of the black soldiers stung by vile Household Cavalry race jibes last night demanded they get an apology - face-to-face.

The mum-of-two also revealed her hubby and six pals thought they were on friendly terms with the men who issued the slurs including the 'N-word' on a Whatsapp message chat.

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We yesterday told how cavalryman Ashley Parker of the Blues and Royals - Prince Harry's old regiment - posted a selfie showing the black men in the background eating lunch at their barracks.

Military police are investigating the messages that included one from 'Neil' - understood to be a fellow Blues horseman - calling them "n*****s".

The seven were from the Life Guards, a sister regiment of the Blues and Royals which also performs changing of the guard duties at Buckingham Palace in red tunics.

The two units are both part of the Household Cavalry and share Combermere Barracks in Windsor, Berks.

 Cavalryman Ash Parker, who sent the selfie with the black soldiers
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Cavalryman Ash Parker, who sent the selfie with the black soldiers

One of the soldiers aged 37 was originally from Kenya and came to Britain in 2002, signing up for the Army four years later.

His wife - who did not want to be named to protect his identity - fumed: "I felt so proud of him on his horse outside Buckingham Palace serving his country, but now fellow soldiers have kicked him.

 Prince Harry was a member of the Blues and Royals during his time in the Army
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Prince Harry was a member of the Blues and Royals during his time in the ArmyCredit: PA:Press Association

"My husband and his friends know the people who made these comments, not as friends, but to say 'hi' to and 'how are you doing?'

"He got to learn what had been posted a few days later by text. He reported it up the chain of command.

"His attitude was that it was incredible this was happening in the 21st century. He called me the next morning. He was very upset as he has worked hard in the British Army for 10 years.

 Members of the regiment are under investigation over the messages
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Members of the regiment are under investigation over the messages

"What makes it worse is that they are basically the same regiment. He has met the men who said these things, they worked hand-in-hand. He is now embarrassed at having to see them again.

"But those responsible have been hiding their faces - running away.

 Combermere Barracks in Windsor, where the messages were sent
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Combermere Barracks in Windsor, where the messages were sentCredit: Ins News Group

"My husband is depressed after learning what they say about him behind his back. He sometimes feels he has had enough. But you cannot quit, they would have won - and where else do you get a job?

"For a black person to get promoted in the army, you have to work much harder than a white person, and my husband has done that.

 Parker took the selfie during a leaving do at the barracks
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Parker took the selfie during a leaving do at the barracks

"He wants something to be done about it, I just want this sort of thing to stop.

"I am not hard-hearted enough to say they should be kicked-out, but they need to be punished.

"It would be nice for them to be made to personally apologise - face-to-face, a personal statement, to my husband and each of his friends."

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