A NORTH Yorkshire police chief has received an apology from Prince Andrew after being taken to task over the uniform he was wearing during a royal visit to Thirsk.

The affair hit the headlines when Chief Supt David Short was criticised by the Duke of York for wearing a zip-up jacket instead of a formal tunic.

As the Duke was greeted by a line-up of dignitaries at an industrial unit earlier this year, he remarked on Mr Short's code of dress.

"This is unacceptable," the Duke said as he shook hands with the police commander.

The awkward situation was saved by the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Lord Crathorne, who deftly steered the Duke into the main part of the building.

But Chief Supt Short - who was representing chief constable Della Cannings at the time - said: "I was embarrassed because alongside me in the line-up were people including the county council chairman, an MP and the Mayor of Thirsk."

Mr Short said he felt Prince Andrew had publicly berated him.

"I told him it was the policy of North Yorkshire police to wear fleeces as opposed to formal tunics," he said. "I was taken aback by his remarks."

Ms Cannings subsequently wrote to Buckingham Palace in protest at the incident and the Duke's equerry has replied, offering an apology.

Mr Short said the letter indicated that the Duke had not been criticising him personally but the policy of the force.

"I am happy with the reply," he said.

Ms Cannings said she did not want to see public money "wasted" on buying ceremonial uniforms.