He and his young friends perhaps thought they were promoting diversity by having a fancy-dress party on the theme of "Colonies and Natives".
And how better to demonstrate social inclusion than to don the uniform of an often maligned and stigmatised group such as the Nazis. The Ku Klux Klan? Or the British National Party?
More likely, Prince Harry and his friends will have felt quite comfortable with the theme of the party and the brand of uniform because of the values they hold: values that allow them to act out themes from the recent past of both this country and elsewhere that many would consider racist. The colonial experience has left deep scars on both the natives of countries that were occupied by Britain and others in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the natives of Britain. As for the impact of the depraved Nazi dogma, its aftermath still impacts on its victims and perpetrators.
At a stroke, this spoilt group of young people has insulted and upset millions of people - many Black people, Jews, Germans and anti-racists.
At the same time as many others (including the Queen) try to promote social cohesion, is it not crude antisocial behaviour to party like Prince Harry and his friends choose? In several parts of Europe, wearing a Nazi uniform is a criminal offence - in Germany, Harry would be in court for his behaviour.
The behaviour of Prince Harry and his friends also undermines the efforts of youth workers across this country to promote a more inclusive, tolerant society. A challenge for us, perhaps, is to work and play in ways that celebrate difference and reject racism.
