At just 20 years of age, Prince Harry is already demonstrating a flair for digging holes and then jumping into them. Was his decision to don the apparel of the Afrika Korps at a friend’s private party the behavior of a misguided free spirit or something more serious? Here is a range of opinion – the views expressed ranging from sympathy for a harmless prank to outright condemnation.

Silvan Shalom, the Israeli foreign minister:

“Anybody who tries to pass it off as bad taste must be made aware that this can encourage others to think that perhaps that period was not as bad as we teach the young generation in the free world.”

David Irving, the historian accused of being a “Holocaust denier:”

“It was a harmless prank and not in poor taste. I haven’t worn a Nazi uniform myself but it was a fancy dress party and very much in character. He is a hell-raiser. I don’t like him personally but I think we are going to see this incident milked for all it is worth by the traditional enemies of free speech.”

Abraham Foxman, ADL National Director:

“The appearance of Prince Harry in a Nazi costume only points up the fact that 60 years after the Holocaust and World War II there is a need for intensive education about the Nazis and their attempt to impose their racially based ideology on the world.

“How sad it is that a member of the British royal family would ever consider such an action, given history and the Nazis’ attacks on Britain. This certainly would be an affront to all those who lived under the Blitzkrieg and fought against the Nazis in World War II.

“We find Prince Harry’s apology somewhat lacking and hope that he will be thoroughly educated on why impersonating a Nazi is insensitive and offensive, not a joke.”

Germaine Greer, the author and feminist:

“He is supposed to be a prince of the realm but he is just a kid. For all I know it was as much a comment on his family background as it was a joke in poor taste. He’ll learn soon enough that he will not be allowed to break wind, let alone dress as a Nazi.”

Dickie Arbiter, the former royal press spokesman:

“A written apology is not enough. If he wants to be considered an adult, he has got to behave like an adult, and he has got to apologize in person, through radio and television.

“His grandfather fought in the Second World War, his uncle fought in the Falklands. You can’t go around saying, ‘I don’t know these things.’

“Once again Prince Charles has been let down by his wayward son. Every time there is some good, there is lots of bad. And it can’t go on.”

Kitty Hart-Moxon, a survivor of Auschwitz:

“I don’t think he intended any harm but he was foolish. I’m not upset but there are some people who will be.

“He was stupid. He should have given it a little bit of thought. His grandmother will be very upset.

“The question I want to ask is: What is the standard of teaching of history like at Eton if this is what former pupils get up to?

“The Holocaust Education Trust takes students to Auschwitz and I think he should go. One day there cures people of behavior like this.

“Prince Harry is a role model. What was he thinking of? And what were the people with him thinking of? Why didn’t someone tell him it was a bad idea that would end in bad publicity?

“One should never make light of the Nazi era. People must learn about what happened because if they don’t it will happen again.”

Sir Ian Kershaw, biographer of Hitler:

“Prince Harry acted with grotesquely bad taste and with extraordinary lack of sensitivity. He seems particularly prone to clottish behavior.”