It was one of his mother's favourite cities, so it's little wonder that Prince Harry's first official visit to the city was met with enthusiasm by New Yorkers. What perhaps is surprising, though, is the aplomb with which Harry pulled off his two day solo visit.

Fairly or unfairly Harry has been cast in various roles over the past few years. There's 'party Harry' and 'soldier Harry'. 'Party Harry' we're all familiar with: spilling out of nightclubs at 3am, the extra long 'gap' year and the polo parties. Don't get me wrong, many of us have been there in our early 20s, but Harry's life is one lived in the spotlight. Together with Chelsy Davy, who's also fond of a good night out by all accounts, he formed half of a formidable team on the London social circuit. No crime, but they lacked William and Kate's poise and self restraint. (Can you recall Kate Middleton falling out of a club looking worse for wear? No, me neither).

Then, just as some had written Harry off as a party boy with no serious career prospects, he won back respect for surviving the grueling military training course at Sandhurst and completing a military stint in Afghanistan. 'Soldier Harry' was born. There have been flashes of 'party Harry' since, but it seems the tour of duty and the breakdown of his first major relationship with Chelsy Davy has made Harry grow up.

Which brings us back to the New York trip. Looking every inch a royal on tour, Harry showed the sense of fun and personality that made his late mother the Princess of Wales so adored and a successful ambassador for the UK. During his two-day visit, Harry squeezed in an impressive number of engagements (including trips to Ground Zero, a disadvantaged children's home, a school and a celebrity polo match - for good measure).

All of this activity was aimed at raising money for his children's charity in Lesotho, and is bound to improve Harry's profile. The success of solo trips such as these should also provide him with the training and experience he needs to take his place as a senior royal in the future 'slimmed down' monarchy anticipated by Prince Charles.