Prince Harry called a fellow soldier his 'little Paki friend'

Prince Harry should face disciplinary action for calling an Asian soldier "our little Paki friend", critics said last night.

The third in line to the throne apologised after film footage emerged of him making the racist comment while training at Sandhurst military academy. The film was recorded by the prince himself three years ago when he was 21. Another video showed him describing another officer cadet a "rag-head".

Campaigners said the apology did not go far enough and he should be reprimanded by the Army for his behaviour. Other soldiers would be asked to resign immediately, critics said.



The comments triggered fresh criticism over his suitability as an Army officer. Prince Harry, who once went to a fancy dress party as a Nazi, has rehabilitated his image in recent years, including carrying out a tour of duty on the frontline in Afghanistan.

St James's Palace insisted that although the terms were used without malice, Prince Harry understood how offensive the term "Paki" was. The film was obtained by the News of the World. Prince Harry was heard speaking behind the camcorder as he videoed different colleagues. When he passed over an Asian soldier he stopped, zoomed in, and is heard to say: "And here is our 'Paki' friend." Then he moved on to someone else.

The trainee officer – identified as "Ahmed" – was unaware of the racist comment.