Prince Harry to go on equality course after series of gaffes

London - Britain's Prince Harry is to be sent on an equality course by the army after being caught using offensive language including naming a Pakistani fellow-officer a "Paki" while the two men were training at Sandhurst Military Academy, it was reported Thursday.

According to a report in the Daily Mirror newspaper Thursday, the decision is the result of an internal army investigation into the incident, revealed last month.

The Ministry of Defence would only confirm that the army had concluded its consideration of the case. The name-calling incident would be entered into Harry's army record.

However, there would be no long-term consequences for his military career, the BBC said.

The course, the second for Harry, would remind the third in line to the throne of the "diversity of cultures" in Britain - something all Sandhurst recruits are taught at the start of their military career.

The prince was reported to have been given a "dressing down" by his commanding officer over the remark he made during an exercise three years ago, and which was published by a newspaper last month.

In it, Harry called a platoon member "our little Paki friend" and another, a "raghead." The Pakistani officer concerned is now serving in the army in his home country.

Harry has apologized, saying he meant no malice, and his Pakistani colleague has said he took no offence at the remark.

British newspapers reported this week that Harry, at the 60th birthday party for his father, Prince Charles, last November, told a West Indian comedian that he did "not sound like a black man." (dpa)

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