REBEL PRINCE: A TIMELINE OF HARRY’S CONTROVERSIES

Prince Harry, who was born on September 15, 1984, is no stranger to controversy. From breaking monarchial rules to playing a slapdash game of strip billiards even while paparazzi look on agog, he’s done it all. Here’s a look at a timeline of famous controversial moments from the carrot-top prince.

2001: At age 16, Prince Harry wasn’t like many other teens — people were watching his every move — not that this would stop him from living his life. He lived a life of relative carefree behaviour, showering his then girlfriend with public displays of affection and even having to go to rehab. For one day, when he was 16 for trying illegal substances, Prince Charles reportedly bade him to stay in a rehab facility. When the news went public, St James’s Palace said, “This is a serious matter which was resolved within the family, and is now in the past and closed.”

2004: Prince Harry’s hate for paparazzi is neither unfounded nor is it new. But there have been moments when his exchanges have turned heated, like in 2004 when he had scuffle with photographer, who claimed the prince lashed out at him without warning or provocation at 3am. The scuffle occurred days after news of him cheating in art class at Eton were making the rounds.

2005: In 2005, when Prince Harry kitted out as a Nazi for a costume party, boy did he get some brickbats. Later, he apologised, but the tone-deaf choice did entice rage from politicians and well-wishers alike. “I am very sorry if I caused any offence or embarrassment to anyone. It was a poor choice of costume,” he later said.

2006: Harry’s military career began in 2005 at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. And this is when he made a home video, which would only come out in 2009. He used the racial slur “Paki” to describe his friend. He also used the term “raghead.” St James’s Palace issued an apology on behalf of Harry when the video came out: “Prince Harry fully understands how offensive this term can be, and is extremely sorry for any offence his words might cause. However, on this occasion three years ago, Prince

Harry used the term without any malice and as a nickname about a highly popular member of his platoon.”

2007: Prince Harry snorted alcohol. We have no idea what made him do it, just that he did.

2012: What happens in Vegas, gets photographed for posterity. But he didn’t know that at the time. Then, Harry played strip billiards in Las Vegas. At the end of the game, well, he didn’t have much to lose.

2014: After a trek to the South Pole, the expedition team celebrated — with tonnes of drink and laughter. Reportedly, he also drunk out of one of the prosthetic limbs of Duncan Slater, who lost his legs in Afghanistan in 2009, who was on the trek with Harry.