Prince Harry in the Nazi Uniform

[AllieSutherland]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/01/12/harry.nazi/index.html

Suffice it to say that I think his paternal great-grandmother would beat him within an inch of his life (perhaps with her cute little handbags) were she still alive today (I do -- and will always-- think that she was one of the bravest, classiest women to come from her era, and she was a BIG reason why Britons banded together and fought so hard during the Blitz).

He's a spoiled, moronic dumb ass. Sure, we all make mistakes, but that is far beyond a "mistake." That's being purposefully apathetic in every sense but for (what he thought would be) getting a few cheap laughs. He was wrong.

I was thinking to myself that no one probably called him out for it that was in attendance at the party. What a sad commentary on how much modern society goes for a "fame f*ck"-- that is, trying to impress/kiss arse to the rich and famous for personal gain/self-importance.

Colonel Klink, he ain't. Disgusting, to say the least.

[Pathos]

So far William has impressed me. He seems to be a classy kid (for the most part). I like the way he handles the press. Carries himself...shall I say...in a way most regal.

Harry though...that's another story. It would seem he's struggling with being the second son...always tough. I think he does stupid things like this just to get attention. If he wants to re-connect with his families German roots...that wasn't the best way to go about it! :roll:

[AllieSutherland]

So far William has impressed me. He seems to be a classy kid (for the most part). I like the way he handles the press. Carries himself...shall I say...in a way most regal.

Harry though...that's another story. It would seem he's struggling with being the second son...always tough. I think he does stupid things like this just to get attention. If he wants to re-connect with his families German roots...that wasn't the best way to go about it! :roll:

Ditto that. All of that. I also realize that it's one HELL of a family to have the "second" (or third, or fourth, etc.) child syndrome. I just find it hard to believe that he's clueless -- or that he didn't see anything "wrong" with this.

I dunno. I don't think we've heard the last of his gaffes.

[Pathos]

I dunno. I don't think we've heard the last of his gaffes.

Yeah. I'm just hoping Harry's relationship with William is good. We don't need another Prince John / King Richard soap opera!

[Ysobelle]

Y'know, people who do that kind of thing usually just don't get just HOW wrong it is. There's NO WAY that can be "just a joke" to some of us. There is still an undeniable power in symbols that usually stretches far beyond what the wielder thinks. To not take that into account, or to deliberately flaunt it, is to spray the rest of the world with psychic, indiscriminate machine gun fire.

He and my ex would, it seems, have much to chat about.


Oh, and I'm thinking not just the Queen Mum would beat him. I'm hoping his own mother would've had at him with a big ol' stick.

[Mylilpinkpig]

What bothers me more is no one said to him, "uhmmmm bad costume". William was at the same party dressed as a cat. It;s not like he doesn't know photographers follow them around.

[AllieSutherland]

To not take that into account, or to deliberately flaunt it, is to spray the rest of the world with psychic, indiscriminate machine gun fire.

Oh, and I'm thinking not just the Queen Mum would beat him. I'm hoping his own mother would've had at him with a big ol' stick.

I agree wholeheartedly. I find it doubly unbelievable because of both the implications of his actions to groups that were killed in the Holocaust (Jews, homosexuals, the metally ill/handicapped, Gypsies, and other groups), but for what Nazis meant in the history of the UK. He'll NEVER have to live in fear of being put in a concentration camp. He won't have to live (most likely) with the fear of imminent invasion and nightly bombings. He won't have to go without food or shelter or other basic living requirements because of a horrific war on the scale of WWII in the UK and Europe. He is DAMNED LUCKY to have made it to this Earth to even HAVE a life, considering what might have happened to his family. The Nazis sure didn't want the Windsors to stick around.

I applaud those who are insistent that he attend the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz this year (along with the Queen and his father). I also think that he should have to listen to no fewer than 500 personal life stories of Holocaust survivors (IN PERSON) and also 500+ of those who had to live in the midst of the Blitz and conditions there in the UK during WW2.

It'll never take back what he did, but the BOY is severely lacking in empathetic judgement. I hope he never has any "official" responsibilities.

[Mairi Ulfsdottir]

I am so amazed that someone raised as a public figure, could be so stupid!! The UK was basically the gathering point for the allied forces - not only was he disrespecting all the people tortured and killed by the Nazi's, he was disrespecting the sacrifices made by his own country and allies. And having grown up in a world of papparazzi, digital cameras, and now camera phones...it's really pathetic. And I agree, he should go apologize at the Auschwitz ceremony - it would be fitting.

[Absinthe d'Accalia]

Yeah, stupid, stupid, stupid move on his part and one he'll have to do some serious compensation for to even begin to make up for it. What's so odd though, is that I think he does have concern for folks - I remember reading that he spent some time in Africa where he worked in an orphanage in Lesotho.
From the family site:


In 2004, Prince Harry made a documentary titled "The Forgotten Kingdom - Prince Harry in Lesotho".

The film, screened in September, aimed to raise awareness of the country's problems such as access to education, AIDS and poverty.

An appeal fund has been launched by the British Red Cross, called the Red Cross Lesotho Fund, to help support HIV/AIDS and community projects in Lesotho.

&


In January 2005, Prince William and Prince Harry volunteered at an aid distribution centre. They helped to pack emergency supplies to be sent out to countries that were affected by the tsunami disaster on Boxing Day 2004.

Being the second kid isn't easy, and I can't even imagine in that family what it is like - but he seriously should have known better.

[Leela]

Hmmm. A lot of stone throwing here. Especially about an article that doesn't even bother to ask a simple question of him...Why?

I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt only because of one thing. The kid loves art. He paints (or at least, painted at one point). He knows the power of symbols.

One of the most powerful ways of moving people emotionally is to outrage them. Which is why so much conceptual art nowadays is censored or condemned. And with the evidence of his past work (as Absinthe posted), I think making an assumption that he totally appreciates what the Nazi's stood for, and knew that this would get a rise out of people is as safe as assuming he's a clueless wanker. Perhaps he WANTS our outrage, because he feels it so much himself.

So yeah, while the idea and his execution is sophomoric, something worthy of a first or second year art student, I'm not going to presume he's a complete asshole because of it. Not leastwise because I've certainly never had the opportunity to make his aquaintance, let alone sit and have a heart to heart with the boy.

Wonder who his Falstaff is?

[Ysobelle]

Hmmm. A lot of stone throwing here. Especially about an article that doesn't even bother to ask a simple question of him...Why?

I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt only because of one thing. The kid loves art. He paints (or at least, painted at one point). He knows the power of symbols.

One of the most powerful ways of moving people emotionally is to outrage them. Which is why so much conceptual art nowadays is censored or condemned. And with the evidence of his past work (as Absinthe posted), I think making an assumption that he totally appreciates what the Nazi's stood for, and knew that this would get a rise out of people is as safe as assuming he's a clueless wanker. Perhaps he WANTS our outrage, because he feels it so much himself.

So yeah, while the idea and his execution is sophomoric, something worthy of a first or second year art student, I'm not going to presume he's a complete asshole because of it. Not leastwise because I've certainly never had the opportunity to make his aquaintance, let alone sit and have a heart to heart with the boy.

Wonder who his Falstaff is?



I do agree with you, love, and I do want to know what the hell he was thinking. Was the theme "Bad Nazi," and he walked in with a kitten under each arm and daisies in his hair?

But still, he had to know he was going to be photographed in a Nazi uniform, and that those photographs were going to be seen by people who would never hear what his excuse was: they'd only see the grandson of the Queen, the son of the future King, with a swastika on his arm.

Lemme put it this way: once, my Nazi Ex-Boyfriend (hereafter referred to as MNEB), wore a shirt that had some bizarre and extremely disquieting symbol on it. I sat him down and explained to him that there was a whole incredibly powerful language he was speaking when he wore that, and that unless he wanted to give a thorough explanation to every single person who saw that shirt, he was going to be judged by it, and judged badly. And this is a guy who never went through the fairly thorough protocol training I'm sure Prince Harry's gone through, or the media wringer. The Prince has been in a position of power, and has himself been a public symbol, all his life. He knew he had the respect of millions of people to lose.

MNEB just lost himself a cute girlfriend.

[AnnaFaerie]

I'm not giving any excuses for him wearing the costume just passing on what I heard on TV about the party theme. You were to come in a costume of totally bad taste.

I think Harry won that spot.....hands down.

Before I get flamed for standing up for him (Harry)......let me clarify that I am not doing that. My husband is English and remembers the bombs dropping near his home when he was a little boy. I think Harry is young and thought......hmmmm.....bad taste.....what could be worse than a Nazi uniform......apparently nothing.

[Leela]

The Prince has been in a position of power, and has himself been a public symbol, all his life. He knew he had the respect of millions of people to lose.

Point is well taken, sweetie. :grouphug: Can only imagine how much it must suck to be him sometimes!

:zen:

[Pathos]

You were to come in a costume of totally bad taste.

I read everything in the papers yesterday about Harry and I didn't see a mention of that. If it's true...then that changes things. But are you sure that was the theme? If so...how does William dressed as a cat qualify as bad taste? :wink:

[Cyranno DeBoberac]

You were to come in a costume of totally bad taste.

I read everything in the papers yesterday about Harry and I didn't see a mention of that. If it's true...then that changes things. But are you sure that was the theme? If so...how does William dressed as a cat qualify as bad taste? :wink:

The reports of William being dressed as a "cat" were a misquote, he came as a big pussy. :D

[Pathos]

The reports of William being dressed as a "cat" were a misquote, he came as a big pussy. :D

And that's in bad taste because...? :wink:

[I'Cin]

Here's the BBCNews version (with quotes from The Sun):

Harry says sorry for Nazi costume

Prince Harry was photographed at a friend's fancy dress party
Prince Harry has apologised for wearing a swastika armband to a friend's fancy dress party.
Clarence House issued a statement in response to a photograph published on the front page of the Sun newspaper under the headline, "Harry the Nazi".

It read: "Prince Harry has apologised for any offence or embarrassment he has caused. He realises it was a poor choice of costume."

But there have been calls for the prince to make his own public apology.

Tory leader Michael Howard told BBC Radio 4's Today programme Prince Harry should appear in person, rather than talk through a spokesman.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said the costume was in "bad taste".

But they were "pleased" he had apologised for the incident.

"It was clearly in bad taste, especially in the run-up to holocaust memorial day on the 27th of this month, which the Royal Family will be taking a leading role in commemorating."

The picture was taken at the weekend at a friend's birthday party in Wiltshire, which had the fancy dress theme "colonial and native". This young man has got to come up front and be seen in person making an apology Dickie ArbiterEx-royal PR man

Prince Harry, 20, appears to be wearing a German desert uniform and a swastika armband. He is also holding a drink and cigarette.

Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, of the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain, said: "The fact that the palace has issued an apology indicates that this was a mistake by the prince.

"But having been given, the apology should now be accepted."

But the Queen's former assistant press secretary, Dickie Arbiter, said: "This young man has got to come up front and be seen in person making an apology."

Former armed forces minister Doug Henderson MP said the picture showed the prince was "not suitable" for the prestigious royal military academy Sandhurst, which he is due to attend later this year.

"If it was anyone else, the application wouldn't be considered. It should be withdrawn immediately," said the Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North.

The prince, who is third in line to the throne, hit the headlines last year after a scuffle with a photographer at a nightclub.

The Sun reported that Prince William was also at the party - dressed as a lion.

[Cyranno DeBoberac]

[....]
the fancy dress theme "colonial and native".
[...]


"Native"???

Makes me wonder if Harry's was the only costume at this party that people would find offensive. Blackface-Zulu Chiefs, anyone? :-)

[daBaroness]

First - let me say Harry indeed exercised very poor judgement here - and none of us has any way of knowing his intent ... if he even thought about it. Twenty-year-olds - especially males - are just not fully formed yet, especially in the arena of making good decisions. They act on impulse - thinking something might be fun or exciting - with nary a thought about the consequences or effect on others.

Harry is about a month older than my own son Cameron. Cam is a loving, intelligent kid with ADD. The ADD combined with the undeveloped brain of a teenager who is biracial and male - let's just say I've paid more than my share of bail; shed more than my share of tears; been frustrated and angry enough to last a lifetime AND have wished there were some way I could help him out of the big hole he's dug for himself before his life has really even started.

His lack of forethough and compusivity are astounding. He sat in his car watching three schoolmates take the tires and wheels off a car in a parking lot; put the tires in his trunk and never thought about the fact it was wrong and he was a willing excessory (sp) to a felony. Because we have a good attorney and he wasn't the one doing the stealing - he got a reduced charge of misdermeanor tampering - two years probation. In the meantime - he learned nothing about staying away from so-called friends doing things he knows are wrong and now he has three felony charges against him. Did he do anything wrong - technically no - he even told his friend of 8 years to stop because it made him uncomfortable - but he's now excessory to this kid's marijuana dealing - and the kid used my kid's friendship and trust and dealt the stuff out of MY home.

Fortunately there's a new prosecutor in our county who's willing to let Cameron enlist in the Army in exchange for dropping the charges. They're always impressed with how intelligent, well-mannered and polite my son is - many have commented he's not like most kids who get in trouble. But trouble has followed him (and our family) for four years now.

I think Harry may have some of the same issues my own son does. He likes a party and a good time. He wants people to like him so he often does things on a whim that he regrets later. I don't think he has any clear direction in his life - he's the "spare" sibling - forced to forever be in the public eye and with very little purpose. He also lost his moral guide when his mother died and I remember him following her cassion - a small boy who'd lost his mum - trying to be so brave.

We've all been privy to the fact the royal family is very out of touch with the realities of life of their subjects. Even Prince Charles had told of a lonely childhood - devoid of much parental love and contact. Raised by nannies then shipped off to boarding school - Diana was always touted as the first royal who was hands-on with her children. When she died - they lost much more than their mum - they lost their compass.

I'm not excusing Harry - but I think his dad needs to rise to the occasion and give his "spare" son the time, attention and direction he so sorely needs.

[Adriana Rose]

Ok this young man knew that there was people chasing them around with cameras and I think that he did a big no no here I mean come on dummy! There was no need to wear that to the party. One would think that he would have thought ' Gee this is a tasteless thing to do' With his postion in life he sould make sure that he carries him self in a manner that fits that.
Ok I'm done now.