A TOP policeman who was "humiliated" during a Royal visit to North Yorkshire has received a letter of apology from the Duke of York.

Prince Andrew's private secretary penned a formal letter to Chief Superintendent David Short after the Prince publicly reprimanded the county's eastern area commander during a visit to Thirsk.

The Duke stunned dignitaries when he criticised Chf Supt Short for wearing a black fleece jacket during the visit in March.

He asked why the police chief was not wearing a formal tunic, often worn at such events, and branded the situation "unacceptable", before continuing the visit.

Chief Superintendent Short today said the letter from the Duke's office was "private" and said he was not going to reveal specific details.

But he admitted he was "pleasantly surprised" when it dropped through the letterbox.

He said: "The letter says his criticism was not of me but of my mode of dress."

He said he was now ready to draw a line under the embarrassing episode, which happened in front of civic dignitaries during a tour of local firm Multidrive.

He said: "As far as I'm concerned I fully accept the letter and its sentiments. It's water under the bridge now."

Asked about his reaction after the dressing down, the police chief told the Evening Press today: "I was quite surprised at the time by the way in which he was making the point. It was very public and quite humiliating."

But the eastern commander said he would wear the operational fleece - national police uniform - again during another Royal visit, as instructed by North Yorkshire's Chief Constable, Della Cannings.

"The Chief Constable has made it quite clear that police officers will wear the national police uniform. She has made it quite clear to the Palace. I will wear my fleece."

Ms Cannings said she had no intention of kitting her officers out in ceremonial uniform for Royal visits.

"We do not have a ceremonial remit and we no longer have clothing for purely ceremonial wear," she said at the time of the row.

Updated: 10:47 Wednesday, May 26, 2004