The Crown Tackles Prince Harry's 2005 Nazi Costume Incident
In a recent episode of the Netflix series "The Crown," the show dramatized an incident from 2005 when Prince Harry, then 20 years old, wore a Nazi uniform to a 'natives and colonials' themed costume party. The portrayal follows Harry's own recounting of the event in his 2023 memoir "Spare," where he admits the choice was a grave error. The episode highlights the purchase of the costume and includes a conversation between Prince Harry and Prince William, who is depicted as having been involved in the selection of the costume along with Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge.
The scene in "The Crown" reenacts the moment Harry picked an Afrika Korps uniform with a swastika armband, which later resulted in widespread controversy after photos surfaced in the tabloids. This led to a public apology from Prince Harry, who has described it as "probably one of the biggest mistakes" of his life. The royal family's response to the scandal was also featured, with characters representing Prince Charles, Prince Philip, and Queen Elizabeth II discussing the ramifications of the incident with then-Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Peter Morgan, the creator of "The Crown," has stated he did not read "Spare" and that the show's depiction is independent of Harry's personal account. The historical event, which came shortly before Prince Charles' engagement to Camilla Parker Bowles and during a period leading up to the 60th anniversary of Auschwitz, marked a significant controversy for the royal family, contributing to a reported rift between Prince Harry and his brother. The episode also touched on the broader implications of the scandal, reflecting on the royal family's handling of such issues.
