British Tabloids Are Feasting On Another Harry Situation

Prince Harry, center, shown at a military parade in 2006, is in trouble again, this time over referring to a fellow army officer as a "Paki" and another as a "raghead." Harry, the younger son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, is third in line to the British throne. (By Anwar Hussein -- Getty Images)

An official spokesman at St. James's Palace immediately issued a statement trying to contain the damage and portray the episode as a benign indiscretion that occurred years ago.

"Prince Harry fully understands how offensive this term can be, and is extremely sorry for any offense his words might cause," the statement said, referring to "Paki." "However, on this occasion three years ago, Prince Harry used the term without any malice and as a nickname about a highly popular member of his platoon. There is no question that Prince Harry was in any way seeking to insult his friend."

The statement added that Harry had "used the term 'raghead' to mean Taliban or Iraqi insurgent."

The Ministry of Defense issued a statement saying it did not tolerate racism in the ranks. But in the case of Harry's remark about Khan, "We are not aware of any complaint having been made by the individual."

Khan is now a captain in the Pakistani army and received an award from Queen Elizabeth II -- Harry's grandmother -- for being the best overseas officer cadet during his year at Britain's prestigious Sandhurst military academy.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown entered the fray Monday, saying that Harry had made a "mistake" but that his apology was genuine.

"The British people are good enough to give someone who has actually been a role model for young people and who has done well fighting for our country . . . the benefit of the doubt," Brown said, referring to Harry's much-publicized stint serving with British troops in Afghanistan last year.

The British media widely reported on Monday that Harry's likely punishment for the incident would be an "interview w ithout coffee" with his commanding officer, a euphemism for a reprimand.

Still, Harry's use of the terms -- particularly "Paki," which is a slur that many find deeply offensive -- reminded many here of a 2005 episode in which he wore a Nazi uniform to a costume party.

Photos of the rosy-cheeked prince wearing a swastika armband caused outrage, particularly among Jewish groups. Harry immediately apologized in almost identical language to the statement issued Sunday, saying he was sorry "if I caused any offense or embarrassment to anyone."

The latest flap involving Harry was the talk of the airwaves and Internet in Britain on Monday. Some expressed fury at him and said there was no excuse for using terms that are hurtful and offensive to South Asians and Arabs.

Among the most outraged was Khan's father, Muhammad Yaqoob Khan. Interviewed by the Daily Mail from his home in Pakistan, he said Harry's remark was "a disgraceful insult."