Prince Harry’s latest racist gaffe?
Posted on 12 January 2009 by Pras Geng
Prince Harry has managed to cause controversy once again, when video footage of him calling a Pakistani member of his army platoon a ‘Paki’ emerged to the News of the World. In another clip, he is heard calling another cadet a ‘rag head’.
The footage was filmed three years ago, where Harry attended the Sandhurst military academy. St James’s Park issued a statement, stressing the fact that this video was shot three years ago and that his comments towards a highly popular member of his platoon did not intend to be malicious or insult the Pakistani cadet, whom he is still good friends with. The term ‘rag head’ was apparently used to describe a Taleban or Iraqi insurgent. The statement goes onto to describe how extremely sorry Prince Harry is for any offence caused and that he fully understands how offensive the term ‘Paki’ is. Furthermore, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence has advised the public that all allegations of inappropriate behaviour will be taken seriously, however in this instance, there have not been any complaints by the Pakistani cadet in question. The MoD will be expected to review the footage and take further actions, if necessary.
The cadet in question graduated with Prince Harry from the academy in 2006 and received a special award from the Queen for being the best overseas officer cadet. He is now a captain in the Pakistani army.
The prince had been involved in controversy of a similar nature before, when in 2005 he attended a fancy dress party, dressed as a Nazi officer with a swastika armband. He later apologised for his irresponsible choice of costume.
The current incident has sparked an array of condemnations by politicians and Muslim groups alike. David Cameron was quoted, denouncing the comments made by Prince Harry as ‘completely unacceptable’. After having seen the footage myself, I must admit that I found the segments in question rather funny, and feel that the response from certain quarters have been far too exaggerated for something as trivial as banter amongst army cadets. Although I do believe the prince when he says that he did not mean any harm with his comments, it doesn’t excuse the fact that somebody with his background could be so irresponsible and naive. He’s enjoyed the best education, and has travelled all over the world, so surely he should understand that his actions and behaviour in public, and especially on camera, will have a significant effect on his image in the communities that live in the same country as him.
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Tags : prince harry, racism
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January 12th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Prince Harry is a racist (this is not a secluded incident!), his dad is a racist, his family are racist (they murdered Lady Di), his uncles and aunts are racists. The royal family is pointless and an unnecessary burden of tax payers. Is it not about time we Brits stripped them off their draconian title?!
January 12th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Whoa! There’s absolutely no proof whatsoever that the Royal Family murdered Diana, and even if they did, how does that make them racist?
I agree with you though about them being a burden on taxpayers; they either be slimmed down drastically and made to sell off the majority of their land, or be done away with completely - the only problem with that is that it may leave us with another tier of Government, which’ll cost even more that the Royal Family. The prospect of President Gordon Brown is just too ghastly to contemplate!
January 12th, 2009 at 11:45 am
He hasn’t managed to cause controversy - he has been thrown deep in the centre of it! I’m not condoning his behaviour but let’s put things into perspective. For one, this happened three years ago. Since then Prince Harry has gone on to prove himself as a good role model and has done much for humanitarian causes (following in his mother’s footsteps). I’m sorry I think its time TNOW stopped harrassing the royal family especially Prince Harry and got on with some serious journalism (like finding out what the hell the Israeli govt are doing in Gaza!!)
In response to the royal family being racists - I wouldn’t be so quick to pass judgement on all members of their family.
Prince Charles has done much to help muslims in the UK, as well as been a great public supporter to remove the negative myths of Islam. The Prince’s Trust has also helped many many young muslims (aswell disadvantaged youth from all sectors of the community) to start businesses (who either wish not to go through banks or do not qualify for loans). More recently, Prince Charles has set up the Mosaic Network (especially to help the muslim media cause.) The Royal Family does contribute to the economy and support industries across the country as well as bringing millions of tourism pounds each year. It is not a complete waste of tax payers money.
January 12th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Sure, we don’t want someone using bad words in private…hell no. We don’t want these sorts of people risking their lives for us.
Sheesh, slow news day.
January 12th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Yeah, terrible ain’t it? Calling someone a Paki, torturing prisoners in Abu Ghraib, calling Iraqis “rag heads”… It’s just banter, ain’t it? So long as its “our boys” risking their lives for oil companies, sorry, for us!
Get a life, you perv.
January 12th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
lol how is he a perv…unless he was fantasising about Harry’s ginger pubes???
January 12th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
the above statement should be deleted on a public display forum. Debate about prince Harris offensive words that’s fine but usingboffensive words to express your racist behaviour is not on. I suggest the inside desk team have some sort of censorship in here Don’t you?
January 13th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Until all those who cannot determine between what is racist or derrogatory and what is not by listening to the way something is said rather than literally interpreting the words, they should go away and learn the basics of life. Yes he’s high profile and highly scrutinised others should try the experience. The production of the bit about Grandma, Grandad and the corgies is brilliant. He should get an oscar for that, at least some time with Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe and Hugh Grant. Get with it guys. Hello! we are in the 21st.
January 14th, 2009 at 12:42 am
This guy is a pure racist. Just because he is royal he thinks he can do and say what he wants. No never mind about any repurcussions. I think he intially showed us his true colours when he wore the Nazi outfit to a fancy dress party. How many times can he say sorry and get away with it?
January 14th, 2009 at 2:49 am
Avani & Asim, Prince Harry is not racist at all, far from it. I have friends who know him and William, and both are, as far as I have been told, nice blokes. Harry is obviously a bit more of a lad, hence the humour on the video footage. I found it quite entertaining actually, especially the corgies bit. The cadet in question is still friends with Harry. Besides, this was shot three years ago and since then he has been very involved in ‘doing the right thing’ all the way from serving in Afghanistan to his humanitarian efforts with his father.
People are very quick to jump on the racism bandwagon. It’s just a bloody word. If I wore a Nazi costume to a fancy dress party, would that make me racist too or just a bit of a nutter? Farhana and Harpic have put it very well.
And Pimple, I prefer a shaven haven.
January 14th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Yeah I feel sorry for harry. Me and my white friends joke about me being a paki all the time. Theres nothing malicious about it.
It’s publications like news of the world that are responsible for spreading racism and ignorance.
January 14th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
omd abdul u silly fukin curry munchin paki..
basically if thats how the royal family think then wat does that tell u about the rest of the so called high society n there views… if he had said nigger would that b acceptable i dont fukin think so,,its dumb pakis like abdul that allow this people 2 violate all asians n muslims,n say nuffin..
let me tell u that kinda talk wouldnt have been allowed on big brother remember all the fukeries jade goody went through,,oh but she was uneducated thats not wat england is like,,bollox,,
wat a disgrace to his mother prince harry is,,
January 14th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
LOL amen brother
January 14th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Nusrat u twat! thats u and ya friends this mother fucker is a Prince whom made a comment on his fellow colleague. he called him a |PAKI) . we all know why harry joined da army dont we. cos his got hatered against Islam and muslims.
January 14th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Wow none of you can type. It’s asians like you that give the rest of us decent ones a bad reputation.
January 14th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
This is becomming really silly people! Arguing amongst yourselves… =S and Prince Harry…wtf!! What an idiot example he is…lol
January 14th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
one guy tryin to use some sense n all u hypocrates n exterimists cant have that,u r the ones need education.
January 14th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
It was Wrong For Harry to say The Word PAKI,
But some people on here are confused, being Pakistani doesn’t necessarily mean your Muslim, as there are some Many other religions in Pakistan.. I think some people commenting on here are just Stupid, being Pakistani has nothing to do with being Muslim.
January 14th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Agreed Shazad: I have deleted a fair few comments. This is a debate around what we think of Harry’s actions not attacking a random person that posts a comment. Is Harry Racist? If he is, he is attacking everyone equally one at a time. first the Jewish were insulted when he dressed in a Nazi uniform and now this. What must the Royals really be like?
January 14th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Fatema I always love your Notes,
some people on here don’t know how to have a sensible conversation,
some of these Asians on here are a disgrace in my opinion, they don’t realize what they saying, like what you pointed out about people in other countries who are in the army, doesn’t make them gay, there just being stupid and uneducated arguments..
Going back to Harry yes it was wrong for him to say that, as the word Paki has a very terrible history behind that, That word means so many things, its like saying get out go back home etc etc,
But i definitely don’t think Harry is a racist at all, I just think it was a very silly mistake on his part and Being a Royal he should set an example to youngsters out there.
His Father does so much for all colours…
I’m glad you deleted them post, as they were just being stupid, and racists/prejudice themselves
January 14th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
PAKI is not a racist word. people from Pakistan are Pakis. People from Afghanistan are Afghans people from Scotland are Scots.
My theory is it became racist because back in the 1960s someone probably called an Indian a PAKI.
The Indian probably took offence because he didn’t want to be mistaken as a Pakistani.
Noting how angry the Indians got being called Pakis would have made people call them Pakis even more!
Question to non Pakistani people with brown skin, what is the most insulting thing about being called a Paki?
January 14th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
LOL @ Ravi comments but I agree with you mate, spot on ;)
January 14th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
I disagree with you There Ravi, The word Paki was used to put Down Pakistanis When the first Came down To this Country, that word was used in a very negative way just like the other word which I absolutely hate Nigger, The word Afghan or Afganis or Scotts, Paddy has never been used in a negative way there is no Negative history Attached to it. There is no one that I know That would love to be Called a Paki.
I was listening to Talk Sport Today there was Some English Lecturer or something He explained it really well far better than I can…
January 14th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
this is an argument that has been going on for several years now. There was a time (several years, even decades) ago, the usage of such terms was solely used in racist terms, by lets face it: caucasians and used in a degrading manner. Unfortunately such terms are still used day in day out, in the same manner, and not just exclusively by caucasians, but all cultures have the temerity to be racist and use these terms in a wholly derogatory manner.
In recent times, especially in black (and asian) culture, there has been a change of how the terms are used, where these cultures have attempted to ‘reclaim’ these words and use it among themselves, as seen in hip hop culture, with the use of the n word, and even as an asian, I know I and many people I know loosely use the p word, the reality and reason for usage is arguably to reduce the impact another can use these words as hatred. That is one argument, however it does not condone the usage of such words in a defamatory and derogatory way, and those who use it in such a way should be held to account. I don’t think Harry meant it in a way to insult people of asian descent nor his army comrade, it was banter at the time. However it depends upon how comfortable and acceptable it is to the person receiving the word, and how they take it.
As an asian person, I think I can call another asian a p…however I would have to be very comfortable with another person of a different ethnicity to call them an n or a h or a c…..
As long as you did not mean any malice, there is perhaps some understanding of the usage of such words.
January 14th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Although I like to think of Harry as a loyal gentalmen(as I always have), I can’t help but feel offended. Even worse today, I read the free London Lite newspaper. The community page had a yes/no vote on whether you agree Harry should appologise on TV…..I was f*cking disgusted with over 60% (?) voted “NO”.
It’s very true. It’s a disgrace to his mother, and most of all, it’s a disgrace to the entire white community in Britain because “I” know better white people. I have been confronted by racists too and they are the “ghundas”, uninformed, naturally mental and bigheaded. Letting him off is basically giving permission for Britain to not take care of their respect for others.
Fatema - It’s crazy atm here but you have to understand, most Brits have sympathy for the Prince. That at least makes me feel fustrated and disrespected. Remember Jade Goody? Should we have felt sorry for her? Nusrat isn’t being himself, sry. only trying to be popular.
January 14th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
harry is a racist gingernut who has taken after his moronic grandfather philip the mad greek, william seems ok as does charles but harry n phillipo are deffo racist
January 14th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
It was reported by the News of the world a zionist paper. Check the boycott Israeli goods site. Apparently this was shown to divide south asians/muslims (divide and conquer) and divert attention from Gaza. Possibly why people are aruging about this now. The zionists are shocked at the large outcry and worldwide protests and are doing anything to move attention away from Gaza. I’m not excusing his comments, especially in his position it can cause an outcry. However, he didn’t act discriminately and or intend to name-call with evil intention. He could say the same name to their faces and they don’t mind. Also, its better to acknowledge someones colour and ethnicity rather than act ignorantly. We are racist subconciously whether no-one admits it or not, no matter how hard we try to not be due to what we personally know or have experienced, its about whether you act upon that that matters. Better to be open and learn than instill fear and increase anger. Anger is not productive. Save Gaza
January 14th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
There is nothing wrong about the comment. Wht do pakistanis hiy yhe high note, what about the Irish, have you ever heard them complain. All you want is an excuse to be grumpy. Give it a break and live in the REAL world guys
January 14th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
I can’t believe anyone of asian decent would even consider the word ‘paki’ NOT being a racist word. It DOES NOT originate or refer to people from pakistan - the word is pakistani. I remember a time when vans full of national front used to come into bricklane to smash up the ‘pakis’- anyone with brown skin. The word has always been a racist term and the fact that it is acceptable in the british army is perhaps more a reflection on the mentality of that institution then that of a naive young prince who hasn’t fully grasped the concept of thinking before opening ones mouth…
January 14th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
its sad that allegedly decolonising countries still send people to the excolonial masters military school for training. yaaar.
Will there ever be a royal with diana’s star quality?
Papers like the news of the world use these events to mask their own lack of morality. By censuring harry they make themselves look good. Neat trick.
January 14th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Hardeep, ROLF
I remember the Irish bombing London!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 14th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
This is a confused issue, what with some asians using the p– phrase themeselves - it doesn’t help to say, I can use the word as an asian but harry can’t - it should be one or the other, not confusing to non asians.
January 14th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me!
January 14th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
^^^^ tell that to those who suffer libel and mental torture. its not actually about harry, its about improving whats decent.
January 14th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Well put Kazam; It is not what is said but the way that it is said. I live
in Oz where, when appropriate SOME non-aboriginals refer to
aboriginals as ‘black fellas’ and get away with it because they do not
mean it to be derrogatory, whereas other ‘non aboriginals can say it
in a way that is totally offensive. This is brought about by most of
the aboriginals refering to ‘white fellas” a lot of the time. As in
all things there are the extrmists, do-gooders, non-edificated and the
like that make merry with it all. That; life, unfortunately.
I believe that we are unfortunate to have some around who choose to make some of the more moronic comments here ( and elsewhere).
January 17th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
i’m sorry, am i missing something? this would not even by up for debate if prince harry had used the n word instead of the p word!
it’s racist and of course that cadet he aimed it at isn’t going to
make a complaint. would you aginst the 3rd in line to the throne? no!
i grew up having the term thrown at me in the street and in the
school yard. it was not done as banter, it was racism. pure and
simple. regardless of its’ origins, that is how the word is used.
the prince should be disciplined and if required, demoted.
in this day and age it’s simply not acceptable.
January 18th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
What a complete set of over-dramatic idiots you are. Harry and the Pakistani cadet are friends still. You guys need to chill out…you guys need Jesus in your lives!
January 30th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
i dnt think he meant it
bt he does need wise up & realize nt every1 will pass it by
sum1 will get offended
he shud do mre charity work with other cultures
mite wake him up 2 the real world
February 19th, 2009 at 11:03 am
prince haryy was out of order to say what he did but then again he was talking to a friend that doesnt take offence towards being called a ‘paki’ its not like he was just calling a ramdom person a ‘paki’ he wasnt saying it with a malice.