Nude photos of Prince Harry are genuine: palace

The British royal family today said nude photographs of Prince Harry cavorting with friends on holiday in Las Vegas were genuine.

The photographs, published in the United States by celebrity news website TMZ.com, show the third-in-line to the throne standing naked in a hotel suite.

In one of the two photographs, the 27-year-old is pictured, apparently wearing only a watch and a necklace, covering his genitals with his hands while another person, who also appears to be nude, stands close behind him.

In the other, he is bent over bear-hugging a second person, who also appears to be naked. It is not clear if the person is a man or a woman.

Clarence House confirmed to AFP today that the images were genuine. "At this time we don't have a comment," a spokesman told AFP, adding: "We may do later."

It is rare for Clarence House to confirm the validity of such images, which raise questions about security surrounding the British royal.

The two images were taken at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas after a game of strip billiards last weekend, according to TMZ.