Lewis Hamilton apologises for publicly shaming his nephew on Christmas Day
Hamilton shared a video of him confronting the boy for wearing a dress
Lewis Hamilton has apologised for publicly shaming his nephew on Christmas Day.
The Formula One racer sparked backlash after posting a video online in which he confronts his nephew for wearing a princess costume on Christmas Day.
The video shared on Hamilton’s Instagram sees the Mercedes driver address the camera as he says: “I’m so sad right now – look at my nephew.”
The camera then cuts to the smiling child playing by the Christmas tree, wearing a fushia pink dress and waving a wand.
As Hamilton approaches the boy, he asks him: “Why are you wearing a Christmas dress? Is this what you got for Christmas?”
His nephew awkwardly laughs and nods, causing Hamilton, 32, to press on, asking: “Why did you ask for a princess dress for Christmas?”
As the boy sheepishly replies “because we like them,” Hamilton shouts: “Boys don’t wear princess dresses!”
Now, Hamilton has apologised for the inappropriate video in a series of tweets posted on Boxing Day (December 26).
He wrote: “Yesterday I was playing around with my nephew and realised that my words were inappropriate so I removed the post. I meant no harm and did not mean to offend anyone at all. I love that my nephew feels free to express himself as we all should.”
Yesterday I was playing around with my nephew and realised that my words were inappropriate so I removed the post. I meant no harm and did not mean to offend anyone at all. I love that my nephew feels free to express himself as we all should.
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) December 26, 2017
In a second tweet, he wrote: “My deepest apologies for my behaviour as I realise it is really not acceptable for anyone, no matter where you are from, to marginalise or stereotype anyone.”
My deepest apologies for my behaviour as I realise it is really not acceptable for anyone, no matter where you are from, to marginalise or stereotype anyone.
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) December 26, 2017
A final tweet read: “I have always been in support of anyone living their life exactly how they wish and I hope I can be forgiven for this lapse in judgement.”
I have always been in support of anyone living their life exactly how they wish and I hope I can be forgiven for this lapse in judgement.
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) December 26, 2017