Aides to the British royal family are understood to have asked UK media organizations not to publish pictures of Prince Harry partying naked in Las Vegas, The Guardian said on Wednesday.
“Royal aides suggested that Clarence House may contact the Press Complaints Commission if the pictures are used by British publications. The PCC declined to confirm whether it had been contacted by Clarence House,” the paper said.
A spokesman for Prince Harry confirmed that the images that leaked to the TMZ entertainment portal were real, but refused to issue any further comment. He asked to respect the royal heir’s personal life because the images were evidently taken without his permission.
TMZ said the images were reportedly made on August 17, when 27-year-old Harry and his friends played a game of strip billiards with a group of unidentified women.
In one photo, a fully nude Harry cups his genitals while a seemingly topless woman stands behind him. In another photo, a naked Harry is bear-hugging a woman who appears to be completely naked as well.
The same weekend saw Prince Harry take on U.S. Olympic swimming champ Ryan Lochte in an impromptu race in a pool full of bikini-clad women.
This is not the first time controversial photoes of Prince Harry have made headlines in the tabloid press. In 2005, he was pictured wearing a Nazi uniform at a costume party.
