Prince Harry apologizes for racist remarks on video

Prince Harry issued an apology on Saturday after a British newspaper posted video footage on its website of him using offensive and racist language and mocking his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.

In the footage released Saturday by the News of The World, Harry, third in line to the British throne, is heard calling fellow soldiers two different racial slurs while filming them.

The newspaper said the footage was from three years ago during various times in the prince's military training.

Britain's St. James's Palace — the office of Harry and his elder brother Prince William  — said Harry was sorry for any offence caused.

"Prince Harry fully understands how offensive this term can be, and is extremely sorry for any offence his words might cause," spokesman Patrick Harrison said in a statement.

"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 royal spokesman added Harry had used one of the racial slurs to mean a Taliban or Iraqi insurgent.

Britain's defence ministry said no complaint had been raised against Harry over his comments.

"Neither the army nor the armed forces tolerates inappropriate behaviour in any shape or form," Britain's defence ministry said in a statement Saturday. "The army takes all allegations of inappropriate behaviour very seriously and all substantive allegations are investigated."

'Give my love to the corgis'

During another part of the video footage, Harry, seen in full camouflage gear, pretends to end a cellphone conversation with the Queen by saying: "Bye, God save you. Yeah, that's great," as well as, "Give my love to the corgis," referring to the Queen's pet dogs.

Harry earned high praise after serving with the British Army in Afghanistan last year. He was withdrawn from the combat zone after his deployment, a closely guarded secret, became public.

But the prince has a history of controversial statements and actions, including underage drinking and marijuana use, as well as his decision in 2005 to attend a costume party in Nazi uniform sporting a swastika armband.