Clarence House may manage Harry but the army has the PR problem

Price Harry has apologised for using racist language in a private video three years ago. Mark Borkowski has pointed out how nimble Clarence House has been in managing the media fall-out. The real challenge is not to the royals (Harry's grandfather managed to say some unpalatable things without bringing down the monarchy). It is the army that needs to look to its laurels.

If you've spent any time in the company of soldiers or officers you will be aware that banter, mickey taking and, frankly, being downright offensive to each other is how the army works. I've never served in uniform (unless you count the Scouts) so I don't know how important this is. It's the way the army works though. The challenge for the institution is to maintain this aggressive culture but prevent bullying and racism. You see if people think that the army is racist then non-racist people (including people from ethnic minorities) will be less likely to join.

The army has a lot of guns and is paid to do a difficult, dangerous and very controversial job on behalf of the british state. If it is not made up from a true cross-section of british society then it will lose its legitimacy. It will be seen as a tool of oppression. It will be seen as a target for direct action. 

The consequences, in short, of the army seeming to be racist are far-reaching. Unfortunately having one of their officer cadets, unselfconsciously using racist language does rather make them appear like they haven't sorted this racism issue.