Prince Harry to comic: You don't sound like a black chap

Prince Harry is at the centre of a third race dispute today after allegedly telling a black comedian he did not "sound like a black chap".

He is said to have made the remark to Stephen K Amos after the comedian performed at a show to celebrate Prince Charles's 60th birthday in November.

The prince has already faced criticism this year for calling a Pakistani Army cadet a "Paki" and in 2005 he caused outrage when he wore a Nazi uniform to a fancy dress party.

Mr Amos told Channel Five's The Wright Stuff that Harry, 24, made his remark after the gala We Are Most Amused.

The comedian, who lives in south-west London, said: "Harry said: 'Hello you don't sound like a black chap.'" Mr Amos added: "I wanted to say: 'How is I supposed to sound?'" His fellow panellist Lowri Turner and presenter Matthew Wright gasped.

Naomi Byron, from Youth Against Racism in Europe, said: "This is not just Prince Harry that is at fault. The aristocratic, rich circles he moves in obviously don't have a problem with this kind of racist stereotyping."

However a source at the show said: "Harry had just been talking to a Iranian actor who had done an impression of a Nigerian. They had been talking about that and Harry then turned to Mr Amos next to him and made the comment. It wasn't racist."