HE HAS partied long and hard, taking in a fight with a photographer and an unfortunate choice of fancy dress along the way. But, if royal sources are to be believed, Prince Harry has finally grown up.
Harry's 21st birthday this Thursday will be a deliberately low-key, sober affair. And while a uniform is to feature, thankfully, it will be that of a Sandhurst officer cadet.
Palace insiders say Charles has insisted that one of the most important
birthdays of his second son's life must stay out of the headlines.
If the plan works, there will be no images of Hooray Henries, outlandish hedonism or general drunkeness in the tabloids on Friday morning.
Instead, the prince is expected to have a quiet drink of his father's own-label Highgrove wine with a handful of close friends and his South African girlfriend Chelsy Davy.
But while the celebrations are due to be muted, it is understood the gifts will be lavish. Insiders say Davy has splashed out on a luxury watch and photo-shoot with one of the world's top photographers for her royal boyfriend.
An aide told Scotland on Sunday: "Harry has grown up a lot in the last year. I think Sandhurst and the Nazi uniform blunder have really matured him."
The source added: "Harry is a really honest soul who does give things his best shot. But he is also very sensitive. He has been hurt by some of the negative media coverage of his past."
Over-indulging on his 21st is not an attractive option. Harry will be required to put in a full day's work at Sandhurst on Thursday and Friday.
The prince is said to be finding the process of becoming a professional soldier both mentally and physically exhausting, and a hangover would only add to the misery.
The 'real' birthday celebrations are likely to have taken place yesterday at the wedding in Henley-on-Thames of Harry's stepbrother, Tom Parker Bowles.
An insider said: "It made more sense to double up. Many of the royals were at the wedding anyway."
Author and royal watcher Roddy Martine said that in recent years the Royal Family had learned from previous media mistakes and would want this celebration to pass with as little fuss as possible.
Martine said: "They have been very successful in recent years in managing their publicity despite a few very public mistakes. They will be keen not to repeat that with Prince Harry this year.
"But, of course, one has to remember that Prince Harry is now very much part of the army and therefore he has to behave responsibly when the world is watching.
"But like most army officers, I imagine, out of the spotlight he will let his hair down."
Davy is believed to have bought the prince a £5,000 Rolex Yachtmaster watch for his birthday and has also ordered a surprise photo-shoot with Princess Diana's favourite photographer, Mario Testino. According to sources, she wants a portrait of herself and Harry.
The pair have just spent a break in Botswana's Okavango Delta with a group of friends. "There was lots of partying then. Harry was playing tambourine, with his pals playing guitars and lots of singalongs around the barbecue," said an insider.
Presents from Prince Charles and Prince William have been kept under wraps at this stage. But one insider said polo-mad Harry may get a new pony from his father.
Although the birthday is being kept low-key, a coin featuring Prince Harry is to be issued by the Royal Mint in official recognition of the occasion.
A portrait of the prince in a sweater and open-necked shirt features on the reverse of the commemorative £5 coin, which also displays his coat of arms.
But despite the careful management, Harry's birthday has not escaped controversy.
In what has been perceived as a snub to the terrestrial broadcasters, in particular the BBC, which has previously conducted royal interviews, the prince agreed to be interviewed by Sky News to mark the milestone.
The full article contains 706 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
