Prince William's Memorial Apology

15 October 2009

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Britain's Prince William has apologised after accidentally upsetting the father of a soldier killed in Iraq.

The prince asked Mark Thompson - father of Private Kevin Thompson who died in a roadside bomb - if he was a retired soldier at a memorial service held as a tribute to those killed in the war.

Mark and his wife Theresa - who were among 2,000 guests at St Paul's Cathedral in London - were left furious as Mark was wearing a badge of a grieving relative.

I didn't go over to talk to William, I just got turned around and the next thing I knew I was shaking his hand. In front of everyone he said, Are you retired?

Furious Mr. Thompson, a bus driver from Lancaster, told Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper: "I didn't go over to talk to William, I just got turned around and the next thing I knew I was shaking his hand. In front of everyone he said, "Are you retired?" I couldn't believe it.

"He's an officer, he should have known as I was wearing a badge on the right hand side because I had lost my son. He said sorry and then started talking to the officers. I was upset. For Prince William not to know what a medal on the right hand side means is shocking."

Mr Thompson's son, a private in the Royal Logistic Corps, died in Selly Oak Hospital after being airlifted back to the UK in May 2007.

A Clarence House spokesman said: "We would never comment on a private conversation. However, Prince William has the utmost compassion and sympathy for anyone who has lost a loved one while serving in the Armed Forces."

William is currently training to be a search and rescue pilot with the Royal Air Force.

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