WHEN Prince Harry admitted smoking cannabis three years ago, he was promptly sent to a drug rehabilitation centre in London by his father, the Prince of Wales, to make him aware of the dangers of addiction.

It was an illustration of strong parenting and it is to be hoped that the young prince learned a lesson which steered him clear of further experimentation with drugs.

Prince Harry now needs another important lesson. He needs to be shown in a way he could never forget why his decision to wear a Nazi costume to a fancy dress party was so brainless.

A visit to Auschwitz with a British delegation to mark the 60th anniversary of the death camp's liberation would provide that unforgettable reminder of what the swastika represented.

The announcement that he is to make that visit should be part of a televised apology which goes further than the statement of regret issued so inexpertly by Clarence House in a ham-fisted bid to draw a line under the scandal.

"I am very sorry if I caused any offence or embarrassment to anyone," said the statement.

Given that offence has clearly been caused around the world, the inclusion of the word "if" was hardly the work of public relations experts.

It is not just Prince Harry who is in need of some important lessons.