14 January,2009 09:38 AM IST | | Agencies
Britain's Prince Charles and his two sons call a polo-playing Indian friend by the nickname Sooty. The revelation comes two days after Prince Harry apologised for referring to a fellow former Sandhurst cadet as our little Paki friend.
The nickname Sooty is used by the princes to address Kuldip Dhillon, a wealthy property developer, when they play together.
One member of the club, who asked not to be named, said that the sobriquet was a way of putting two fingers up to political correctness. He added: Charles, along with both of his boys, have called this chap Sooty because it is his nickname and he is perfectly comfortable with it. I suppose that we all see this as a sort of running joke about political correctness. He added: They [the princes] are no more racists than I am, and I use the word to address this chap whenever I see him, too.
Dhillon's (58) family is of Indian origin. Last night Dhillon said that the nickname was a term of affection. He said in a statement: I have to say that you know you have arrived when you acquire a nickname. I enjoy being called Sooty by my friends, who I am sure universally use the name as a term of affection with no offence meant or felt."
