Blog: Prince Harry has won the respect he deserves

But even that should be kept in context. Because the prince also pointed out: "We fire when we have to, take a life to save a life, but essentially we're more of a deterrent than anything else."

The interview he gave, to be used once he had left Camp Bastion, was frank, free and in the way of such things, maybe a tad indiscreet in some areas. Using the word 'game' in any context of a front line battle may not be the brightest move but would Harry mean that literally? No, he would not.

The young prince has now flown home from the heat of battle to an icy Great Britain, battling with clear concerns at once more being a target not for guns and bombs, but for the attention of the world's press.

It is hard to think that a long spell in one of the most dangerous places on earth where Harry has lived and fought bravely alongside every other valiant young man and woman deployed there, could be preferable to coming home to the constant attention of what he sees as the trivia of his life.

His family will be heaving a great sigh of relief this week, the Prince of Wales has spoken publicly of his pride in but deep concerns for his younger son. But I'd guess that the vast majority of people in this land also welcome him home with a new respect.

And if Harry the playboy ever really existed, we now see Harry the soldier hardened in the theatre of real war and danger. And anyone who has not had that 'other world' experience should be very careful about being critical of him or any other brave young member of the Armed Forces who put their lives on the line in the name of freedom. Many only come home to be laid lovingly to rest.

Harry has already shown himself to be emerging as a charming and personable young man, especially last year as he played his part during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. He loves children and cares deeply about those in deprived parts of the world. He'll join in festivities of different cultures and has a disarming knack of bringing people together.

Prince Harry is a fine young man. He clearly feels bitter, sometimes betrayed by the constant media attention as he was growing up.

But now he has grown up, while discretion has to be a virtue for a young royal in the media glare, he is still entitled to a private life and to have fun – no-one would deny him that today – but let's hope that now honed as a man prepared to serve his own country and protect others, he has also won the respect he deserves.

Welcome home, Prince Harry.