Harry loves Camilla
2005-09-15 15:23
London - Britain's Prince Harry on Thursday used his 21st birthday to dismiss rumours he and elder brother Prince William dislike their new stepmother Camilla, insisting: "William and I love her to bits."
In the first significant public pronouncements of his life, Harry also apologised for wearing a Nazi uniform to a party earlier this year, while insisting he did not want to curb his rebellious streak, saying: "I am who I am."
Camilla, who in April married the princes' father, heir to the British throne Prince Charles, was "not the wicked stepmother", Harry told British media in a series of pooled interviews to mark his birthday.
Some reports have claimed that the princes - notably Harry - resent the woman who helped cause the break-up of Charles's marriage to their mother, the late Princess Diana.
But Harry had only warm words for the former Camilla Parker Bowles, now officially Duchess of Cornwall.
"Everyone has to understand that it's very hard for her. Look at the position she's coming into. Don't always feel sorry for me and William, feel sorry for her," Harry said.
"It's all different. We are very grateful for her. She's made our father very happy."
Like 23-year-old William before him, Harry spent his younger life as insulated as possible from the media, save for a smattering of carefully choreographed photoshoots.
Chelsea's 'very special to me'
Harry has nonetheless been pursued by newspapers in recent years, especially since he acquired a reputation for high-living, frequenting nightclubs and even getting involved in a scuffle with a photographer outside a club last year.
The low-point came in January, when Harry caused international outrage after being photographed at a fancy dress party wearing a mock-up Nazi uniform, complete with swastika armband.
"Looking back on it now and at the time as well, it was a very stupid thing to do and I've learnt my lesson, simple as that really," Harry said in one of the three interviews arranged for his birthday.
"I'm very sorry if I offended anybody. I'd like to put it in the past now. What's done is done. I regret it," he said.
But while arguing he was misunderstood, Harry refused to apologise for his rebellious streak.
"I don't want to change that much. I am who I am. I'm not going to change because I'm being criticised in the press," he said.
The one subject the prince appeared wary of was that of South African girlfriend Chelsy Davy.
"My girlfriend is somebody who's very special to me and yes, she's gone through some very hard times. No, I'm not going to talk about it."