The British royal family has faced its fair share of scandal, controversy, and headline-making moments over the years.
From Prince Andrew’s connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, to the infamous “Tampongate” between King Charles and Queen Camilla in the early 1990s, and Princess Diana’s unforgettable “there were three of us in this marriage” comment — the monarchy has been no stranger to public scrutiny.
Prince Harry’s Infamous Nazi Costume
Prince Harry, who stepped down from his senior royal duties in 2020 alongside wife Meghan Markle, has also been caught up in controversy. One of the most notable incidents occurred in 2005 when, at age 20, he attended a “Native and Colonial”–themed costume party wearing a Nazi uniform complete with a swastika armband.
In his 2023 memoir Spare, Harry revealed that he had debated between dressing as a British pilot or as a Nazi soldier. Unsure, he said he called his older brother, Prince William, and sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, for advice.
“I phoned Willy and Kate, asked what they thought. Nazi uniform, they said,” Harry wrote. After bringing the outfit home to try on, “They both howled. Worse than Willy’s leotard outfit! Way more ridiculous! Which, again, was the point.”
Following the release of Spare, both Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace declined to comment on Harry’s account.
Harry Reflects and Apologizes
Harry later spoke about the incident in the Harry & Meghan Netflix docuseries, admitting he felt deep regret. “All I wanted to do was make it right,” he said, adding that he could have ignored the backlash but instead chose to learn from it.
In the aftermath, Harry met with the Chief Rabbi in London, describing the meeting as having “a profound impact” on him. He also traveled to Berlin to speak with a Holocaust survivor.
During the series, Harry acknowledged the presence of “unconscious bias” within the royal family, stressing that “it is actually no one’s fault” but that it’s still everyone’s responsibility to address it. “Once it’s been pointed out or identified within yourself, you then need to make it right. It’s education, it’s awareness and it’s a constant work in progress for everyone — including me.”
Public Response and the Jewish Community’s Statement
Amid public backlash, Harry issued a formal apology: “I am very sorry if I caused any offence or embarrassment to anyone. It was a poor choice of costume and I apologise.”
The Board of Deputies of British Jews expressed appreciation for his apology, saying they were “pleased that [Harry] apologised for… his ill-judged actions.” They emphasized the importance of ensuring everyone understands “the evils and enormity of the Holocaust, and the resonance of the swastika” for both the Jewish community and the wider UK population affected by the Second World War.
If you are the victim of an antisemitic incident or have information about one, you can contact the CST National Emergency Number at 0800 032 3263. In an emergency, always call 999.
