Duke under fire for Romanian orphans 'joke'

It was claimed the remark came at a prize-giving ceremony at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for his Duke of Edinburgh award.

After a winner said he had worked in Romania, the Duke reportedly replied: "Romania? You didn't go across to help in one of those orphanages, did you?"

When the student said no, it was claimed the 85-year-old duke added: "Ah good, there's so many over there you feel they breed them just to put in orphanages."

More than 47,000 youngsters were abandoned by poverty-hit parents in Romania in 1991 after the fall of President Ceausescu.

Tony Allen, of the Romanian Orphans Appeal, labelled the duke's comment "disgusting".