Melbourne, Mar 10: An Australian women’s magazine has apologized for publishing a story revealing that Prince Harry was serving in Afghanistan.

In its latest issue, New Idea magazine said it is sorry it was not "alert to the possible ramifications" of running the story about Harry's secret tour of duty, which appeared in the magazine and on its website in January.

The initial report was noticed by few people, but a scandal erupted after US website the Drudge Report picked up the story and broadcast it around the world, breaching an agreed global media blackout.

"We did not knowingly breach any embargo and were not party to any agreement for a media blackout on the story," News. com. au quoted New Idea, as stating.

"However, and more importantly, we do acknowledge that our actions in publishing the story can be reasonably viewed as insensitive and irresponsible,” the magazine added.

The magazine said that it acknowledges and regrets "the distress and anxiety felt by readers" over the revelations.

"We regret this serious lapse of judgment. We sincerely apologize to all our readers, to the servicemen whose lives are at constant risk while serving at home and abroad and to their families and loved ones,” it added.

UK Defence chiefs had tried to keep the young prince's deployment secret under a news blackout agreed by British media to prevent details reaching insurgents and endangering the prince and his comrades. (ANI)