LONDON: British Queen's husband, Prince Philip -- famous for his risque comments -- has defended the infamous "slitty-eyed" gaffe he made during an official trip to China 25 years ago.
While on an official visit to China in 1986, he told a group of British exchange students staying in Xian city: "If you stay here much longer you'll all be slitty-eyed."
Now, 25 years on, during a documentary to mark his 90th birthday, to be aired on 'BBC', the Duke of Edinburgh has defended his comment, claiming that the resulting outcry was "disproportionate".
"I'd forgotten about it. But for one particular reporter who overheard it, it wouldn't have come out. What's more, the Chinese weren't worried about it, so why should anyone else?" 'The Daily Telegraph' quoted him as saying.
The Duke is famous for his gaffes.