Prince hit by new race claims over 'banter'

Published on Wednesday 11 February 2009 19:22

A COMEDIAN has claimed that he was told by Prince Harry: "You don't sound like a black chap."

The young royal was said to have made the comment to Stephen K Amos after the Prince of Wales's 60th birthday celebration, We Are Most Amused, last November. Last month, Harry apologised for using the term "Paki" about a member of his platoon.

Speaking yesterday, Amos said: "When I finished the show, in the line-up I was saying 'Hello, hello'.

"Prince Harry comes up to me and goes 'Oh, tell me, amusing, but you don't sound like a black chap'."

Amos, a Londoner, continued: "I wanted to say (in a West Indian accent] 'How am I supposed to sound?"'

The comedian said he hoped the comment was in jest. He thought Harry might have been trying to banter with him.

A spokeswoman for the prince would not confirm whether or not the remarks had been made.

A previous statement about the "Paki" comment said it was made three years ago as a nickname for a friend, and was without any malice.