Lewis Hamilton has apologised after sparking controversy by telling his young nephew: 'Boys don't wear princess dresses.'

The Formula One driver, an avid user on social media, took to his Instagram account on Christmas Day to publicly highlight the youngster's choice of attire.

Hamilton's nephew opted to don a pink and purple princess dress for the big day on Monday, and looked chuffed with his costume while waving around a pink wand.

But the Brit questioned the outfit, and jokingly criticised the young boy by including him on his Christmas Day Instagram story.

Hamilton, who captioned the post using an embarrassed monkey emoji, said: 'I'm so sad right now — look at my nephew.'

He then asked the youngster: 'Why are you wearing a princess dress? Is this what you got for Christmas?'

'Why did you ask for a princess dress for Christmas?'

The 32-year-old was celebrating the festive period abroad and ended his video by controversially claiming: 'Boys don't wear princess dresses!'

He then shouts ‘Boys don’t wear princess dresses!’ before the youngster covers his ears with his hands and turns away.

Following a backlash, Hamilton has apologised for the comments.

Again, taking to his Instagram the F1 star 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 the way we all should.'

In a second post he added: 'My deepest apologies for my behavior as I realise it is really not acceptable in the world today for anyone, no matter where you are from, to marginalise or stereotype anyone. 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.'

Hamilton apologised for the post, writing: '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 the way we all should'

Taking to his Instagram the F1 star wrote: 'My deepest apologies for my behavior as I realise it is really not acceptable in the world today for anyone, no matter where you are from, to marginalise or stereotype anyone. 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'

The official Pride in London Twitter account responded to the video saying: ‘Disappointed with this video of Lewis Hamilton!

‘Many of our community have experienced this kind of shaming when we were younger…’

Performance artist Travis Alabanza also criticised Hamilton online telling the millionaire to contribute to a LGBT youth charity.

The artist wrote: ‘I hope @LewisHamilton properly thinks and apologises to his nephew for that video.

‘Thinks about why it is so horrible, and considers donating to a charity which supports LGBT youth. That video is a video so many of us have experienced. Gross. It sticks with you.’

While Penny Gift, a blogger wrote on Twitter: 'Boys don’t wear princess dresses', eh, Lewis Hamilton? Wrong. Boys wear whatever they want. Girls wear whatever they want. Boys can be princesses. Dresses aren’t shameful. Go stick your toxic masculinity up your arse.’

Hamilton was criticised on social media after the Twitter video was posted by JustNabz

Twitter user JustNabz posted the video, captioned 'Oh dear Lewis, you've just opened a can of worms' and criticised the British sports star.

They later wrote: 'I don't care what Lewis' beliefs are, you can't publicly put down a CHILD for innocently liking what they like or wanting what they want, especially when you're an icon and someone who kids look up to, respect and admire.

'Kids are kids! Everything they do is so pure and untainted by society's standards. You can't crush their happiness and create insecurities. Like just let them be and discover themselves.'

Social media was divided on Hamilton's post, with some users hitting out at the four-time F1 world champion for publicly shaming the youngster.

Social media was divided on Hamilton's post, with some users defending the British star

One user wrote: 'As long as that child is fit, health and doing no harm to anyone.... whats the drama?'

Another account added: 'The kid is happy. Maybe boys don't wear princess dresses but you've worn silly outfits as well. It is what it is. Be happy, it's Christmas.'

But Hamilton was also defended, with one fan claiming: 'Yeah, let's all blow this out of proportion!! If it was Dave from the market no one would bat an eyelid.'

'Oh calm down, he's just having a laugh with his nephew, while also spreading an important message,' read another tweet on the thread.

The 32-year-old Formula One superstar won his fourth world championship last season