Rupert Murdoch -- Leave Prince Harry Alone!

Rupert Murdoch's got Prince Harry's naked back ... telling the world to give the young royal a break over his recent Vegas scandal -- not surprising, since Murdoch defied the Royals by publishing the pics.

Murdoch tweeted Saturday night, "Prince Harry. Give him a break. He may be on the public payroll one way or another, but the public loves him, even to enjoy Las Vegas."

TMZ broke the story ... the prince was photographed bare-ass playing billiards in Las Vegas this week and the photos quickly made the rounds all over the world. But the Royal Family was none too happy and pressured/banned British media outlet from publishing the pics.

Enter "The Sun" -- one of Murdoch's many media companies -- which published the nudie pics anyways.

Well played.