Britain's Prince Harry apologized on Thursday after he wore a Nazi uniform to a costume party two weeks before Queen Elizabeth is due to lead the country's Holocaust memorial events.
In the latest of a string of gaffes, Harry, 20, wore a red-and-black swastika armband and an army shirt with Nazi regalia at the party at a friend's house Saturday. The incident will heap more embarrassment on the royal family and Harry, third in line to the British throne and due to train at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst this year.
Queen Elizabeth is due to host a reception for Holocaust survivors Jan. 27 before representing the nation at the Holocaust Memorial Day National Event.
"I am very sorry if I have caused any offense," Harry, youngest son of the late Princess Diana and heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles, said in a statement. "It was a poor choice of costume and I apologize."
A picture of Harry in his Nazi outfit was taken at the private house party of Olympic horseman Richard Meade and published on the front page of the Sun newspaper under the headlines "Hitler Youth" and "Harry the Nazi."
It showed him with drink and cigarette in hand, surrounded by young people, including a woman dressed as a Native American.
The Nazi gaffe drew immediate condemnation from religious bodies, royal commentators and legislators.
"The incident was in bad taste, especially in the run up to the Holocaust Memorial Day, which the royal family will be playing a leading role in commemorating," the Board of Deputies of British Jews said in a statement.
Former royal press officer Dickie Arbiter said the prince had been "incredibly stupid and arrogant."
"He should know by now that there is no such thing as private," he told Sky News. "He has been allowed to get away with murder."
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