Just a few weeks ago, embarrassing images of Prince Harry frolicking naked in a Las Vegas hotel generated a firestorm for the royal.
It appeared as if the third-in-line to the throne had once again shown an error of judgment and lapsed into the
"playboy prince" persona he has tried so hard to shake off.
But his time off in the US where he very publicly let his hair down was the last chance for Harry, an Army captain, to have some rest and relaxation - or R&R - before his deployment to Afghanistan.
The Prince would have known his long-weekend break was his last chance to enjoy himself before the dangerous work flying Apache helicopters began.
Many may now sympathise with him for doing what members of the armed forces have done for decades when they know normality will soon be replaced by combat conditions.
The Prince went to the "adults' playground" of Las Vegas where round-the-clock gambling, partying and drinking are available.
Staying in a reported £5,000-a-night hotel suite, Harry was filmed wearing a hat, sunglasses and colourful swimming shorts, and socialising with bikini-clad women at a pool party.
Singer Jennifer Lopez is thought to have met the royal as he wandered around an event being staged at the MGM Grand hotel.
The fun-loving 27-year-old royal even challenged US swimmer Ryan Lochte, who won two Olympic golds at London 2012, to a race across a pool during the weekend - and lost.
But it was two pictures of Harry naked with an apparently nude woman that generated the most interest.
Time off is crucial to members of the armed forces - either giving them the necessary period to let off steam before operations begin or allowing them to recover from the rigours of being on the front line.
On its website, the British Army states: "Most operational tours last for six months. During this time, soldiers will get a two-week period when they can come home to relax.
"They will also have some extra holiday, called 'leave', before they go on operations and more when they return.
"Going overseas on operations can be physically and mentally tiring, so this is the Army's way of giving soldiers the time they need to unwind."
It is likely to be some months before Harry finds himself relaxing in a bar away from the stresses of Afghanistan.
But when the royal does get the chance for some R&R, he will probably do it behind closed doors and away from prying cameras.
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PA | Posted: 07/09/2012 12:02 Updated: 07/09/2012 12:35