Prince Harry Nazi uniform costume was 'one of the biggest mistakes' of his life

07 November 2023 , 15:00

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Prince Harry pictured in 2005 - the same year he made the 'biggest mistake' of his life (Image: WireImage)

Prince Harry has made plenty of headlines over the years. Most recently, he has found himself on the front pages for his open criticism of the royal family following his decision to step down from royal duties and move to America with his wife, Meghan Markle.

But back in 2005, there was one particularly shocking photo of the Prince that dominated newspapers around the world. Harry was snapped wearing a Nazi soldier's uniform with a red-and-black swastika armband and an army shirt while clutching a drink at a friend's costume party on Jan 8 of that year.

He later spoke about the incident in the third episode of Harry and Meghan's tell-all docuseries, Harry & Meghan. "It was probably one of the biggest mistakes of my life," he said. "I felt so ashamed afterwards."

The photo of Harry dominated headlines around the world (Getty Images)

He continued: "All I wanted to do was make it right. I sat down and spoke to the Chief Rabbi in London, which had a profound impact on me. I went to Berlin and spoke to a Holocaust survivor. I could have just ignored it and gone on and made the same mistakes over and over again in my life. But I learned from that."

The Duke of Sussex also addressed the idea of "unconscious bias" in his family, noting that while "it's actually no one's fault," that doesn't absolve one of responsibility. "Once it's been pointed out or identified within yourself you then need to make it right," he said. "It's education, it's awareness and it's a constant work in progress for everyone ― including me."

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Harry pictured with older brother Prince William in 2005 (PA)

Immediately after the 2005 incident, Harry apologised in a statement, saying, "I am very sorry if I caused any offence or embarrassment to anyone. It was a poor choice of costume and I apologise."

Meanwhile, the Board of Deputies of British Jews said at the time that it was "pleased that [Harry has] apologised for … his ill-judged actions."

"We would now want to concentrate on ensuring that everyone understands the evils and enormity of the Holocaust, and the resonance of the swastika, not only to the Jewish community, but to all in the United Kingdom affected by the Second World War against the Nazis," the group added.

Rabbi Jonathan Romain, a spokesman for the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain also spoke out following the incident, saying: "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."

Gemma Strong