Prince Harry Apologizes Directly To The Asian Army Officer Over Racist Slur

Britain's Prince Harry has apologized directly to the Asian army officer he called "a little p**I." The 24-year-old royal - who is third in line to the throne - has reportedly telephoned Ahmed Raza Khan in Pakistan to "clear the air" over remarks he made in a home video, filmed three years ago while the prince was a cadet at Sandhurst military academy.

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A source close to Harry - who has already issued a public apology - said: "Since the footage came to light, Harry's main concern has been that he may have offended a friend."

Lieutenant Khan is believed to have accepted Harry's explanation, but the officer's father Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Abbasi has "profoundly condemned" the prince's remarks.

Meanwhile, the Indian man dubbed "Sooty" by Harry and his father Prince Charles insists he likes the name and doesn't think it is racist.

Kuldip Dhillon - who met the royal pair when they joined Cirencester Polo Club in south England - said: "I have to say that you know you've arrived when you acquire a nickname."

"I enjoy being called Sooty by my friends and I am sure they universally use the name as a term of affection with no offense meant or felt. The Prince of Wales is a man of zero prejudice. Both his sons have always been most respectful."

Harry has also received an apology from one of his critics who branded him "a thug."

Mohammed Shafiq, 29, the chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, a Muslim youth organization, admitted he let emotion get the better of him.

He said: "On reflection, I wish to issue a sincere and unreserved apology to Prince Harry for any offense I have caused him."

"I am, however, still of the view that the use of the term 'P**i' is unacceptable in the 21st century and I welcome Prince Harry's acceptance that this word is racist and offensive. I know he is a very talented individual and has a bright future ahead of him and hope we all learn lessons from this sorry episode."