Prince Harry has been the subject of raunchy jokes by two UK series, and both networks refused to apologise for being "tongue-in-cheek." Channel 4 and BBC programs have taken aim at the royal bachelor's playboy and party animal reputation, which critics say are inappropriate and degrading to the royal family.

In late October, the BBC satirical news show "Have I Got News For You" was bombarded with criticisms when guest presenter Jo Brand insinuated that Harry snorts cocaine.

"George's godparents include Hugh van Cutsem... I presume that's a nickname as in Hugh van cuts 'em and Harry then snorts 'em," Brand said in the show.

The joke, which was about the godparents of Prince Harry's nephew, Prince George, was called denigrating.

Defence minister Anna Soubry said that the jibe on Harry was "disgraceful, shoddy, appalling, and out of order."

"Jo Brand should not have stooped to that level and both she and the BBC should apologise," Ms Soubry added, as quoted by The Guardian.

For former head of the army Lord Dannatt, although the remark was a just a joke, "the suggestion is outrageous. It is a very unfortunate joke to make and most inappropriate."

BBC has apologised for the "factual inaccuracy" of the joke, referring to the mix-up of the name of the godfather, which was supposed to be "Will" for William van Cutsem instead of Hugh van Cutsem, who has recently passed away after the episode aired.

"We apologise for the factual inaccuracy in Friday's programme and have edited iPlayer and the future repeats accordingly," the network said in a statement.

However, as for the suggestion that Harry snorts cocaine, BBC continued to stand by it, saying it was a "tongue-in-cheek" comment that was essential for a satirical news show to deliver an "irreverent humour."

More recently, a new comedy show in Britain is also being accused of degrading the royal family with a joke aimed at Harry again.

A scene on the Monday episode of the Channel 4 show "Fresh Meat" shows one character saying to another, "I'll take you to a place where Prince Harry got a hand job off an assistant manager at Abercrombie & Fitch."

The quip was deemed offensive by some viewers, including Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell, who told The Telegraph that it was "inappropriate."

"The media should not involve the Royal family in this sort of thing. It's inappropriate and degrading and it demeans the broadcasters that engage in it. It's just wrong.

"It's all very well to have a go at politicians but we can respond to this sort of thing, whereas the Royal family are not in a position to respond so it's unfair on them. Senior members of the Royal family should not be treated like this," Mr Rosindell said.

Royal biographer Penny Junor also thought that the Channel 4 joke was "really horrible and it's not even funny."

But like BBC, Channel 4 said that it's a "tongue-in-cheek" comment and refused to apologise for the joke, however inappropriate others deem it to be.

"In the context of the episode this clearly tongue-in-cheek line is part of the character JP attempting to impress his fellow students by ironically boasting about his own privilege. Viewers will recognise that it is within the context of JP's fictional character and in keeping with the established tone of the show," the network defended its program.