British prime inister Gordon Brown today added his voice to those condemning Prince Harry for calling an Asian army colleague a "Paki" but said the royal's apology was genuine and should be accepted.
The 24-year-old prince issued an apology after his remarks, captured on a video made in 2006, were published on the News of the Worldwebsite. He said the comments were made without any racist malice intended.
"I think Prince Harry knows these comments were unacceptable," Mr Brown told GMTV, saying the sincerity of the apology could not be doubted.
"I think the British people are good enough to give someone who has actually been a role model for young people and has done well fighting for our country, gone into very difficult situations with bravery, I think they will give him the benefit of the doubt."
The prince Harry is set to face an army inquiry.
In some of the footage on the homemade video, Harry - third in line to the throne - is behind the camera and can he heard making a mock commentary.
"Anyone else here ... ah, our little Paki friend ... Ahmed," Harry says as he zooms onto the face of Asian officer cadet Ahmed Raza Khan while waiting at an airport to fly to Cyprus.
Harry was also shown telling another officer cadet wearing a camouflage veil during a night manoeuvre in Cyprus, "You look like a raghead" - an offensive term for an Arab.
Publication of the video has already led to criticism from some religious groups as well as Conservative leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.
The recording was made a year after Harry was pilloried for wearing a Nazi uniform at a costume party, a gaffe that sparked an international outcry.
Reuters