Britain: Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, offered no comment yesterday as the Duchess of York and Clarence House insisted his younger son, Prince Harry, had no need to apologise again for wearing a Nazi costume at a party last weekend.
During a visit to flood-ravaged Carlisle, Prince Charles twice declined to comment on Prince Harry's behaviour, although he is reported to have given his son a severe dressing-down.
The incident has acutely embarrassed the royal family and sparked a storm of national and international complaint.
With Harry's older brother, Prince William, reportedly feeling partly responsible for his sibling's behaviour - he was said to have been with him when he collected the party costume - there were renewed suggestions yesterday that Prince Harry should undertake a visit to the Auschwitz death camp.
This would be to see for himself "the results of the symbol he so foolishly and brazenly chose to wear".
Although there were no plans at the moment for the prince to make such a journey, royal aides said the matter "would be considered in due course".
Other reports said steps were certain to be taken to ensure both young royals understood why the swastika-emblazoned fancy dress costume had caused such an outcry.
However Prince Harry's aunt, the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, said his apology should be accepted and press criticism stopped.
The duchess told the BBC's Today programme: "Somebody needs to stand up and say, 'Leave him alone, he is a very good man.' Both William and Harry are very good men. I think their mother was very proud of them."
Ms Ferguson continued: "I am speaking in support of a great young man who needs more support and less criticism. He has apologised and people have accepted his apology. Let's move on."
That view was supported by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, who told the BBC's Question Time programme on Thursday night: "He apologised straight away after the mistake became public. I think we should leave it at that.
"I think he must understand what has happened and I think that should be the end of it."
A Clarence House spokesman said: "Prince Harry has apologised immediately and in a heartfelt fashion for making a very bad mistake. His apology has been accepted by a number of Jewish groups."
Clarence House subsequently indicated that no further statements would be issued.
Britain's Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks, said it was imperative that the lessons of the Holocaust and the second World War were not only taught but understood.
Describing the wearing of a swastika as being in extremely bad taste, Dr Sacks added: "I note that Prince Harry has recognised this."