( CNN ) -- Prince Harry 's last visit to the United States , in August 2012 , did not end well , after photographs of him romping naked around a Las Vegas hotel suite were published worldwide -- just weeks before he began his tour of duty in Afghanistan . `` I probably let myself down , I let my family down , I let other people down , '' he said in an interview a few weeks later . `` It was probably a classic example of me probably being too much army , and not enough prince . '' Harry argued at the time that it happened in a private area and that he should have been able to expect a certain amount of privacy . Expect him to redress the balance then on his next visit to the United States , which begins on Thursday . And he wo n't be stopping in Las Vegas . His Private Secretary , Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton , has reassuringly confirmed that the prince will `` fulfil his duties with his inimitable style in all he does . '' He has a point . No-one does royal tours quite like Prince Harry , and he 's clearly fond of the United States , visiting several times during the years , both in official and private capacities . This is the prince who dispensed with handshakes when he met Jamaican prime minister Portia Simpson Miller in March 2012 and gave her a hug instead ( he said he had heard that she liked hugs . ) On the same day he also challenged Olympic multi-medallist Usain Bolt to a race and then went on to impersonate Bob Marley during a state dinner . If there is a Usain Bolt moment in the U.S. , it will be on a baseball diamond In New York on Tuesday . But striking a baseball is n't as easy as it looks -- has Harry been practicing ? He is competitive and will at least be on more of a level playing field when he captains a polo team during a match in Connecticut on Wednesday . It 's a sport he excels at , but such events are as much about socializing -- and Harry 's presence is fast turning it into the society event of the year . This is , after all , the man who ultimately has the power to turn women into princesses -- or at least duchesses . But Harry is n't coming to the United States to find a wife , officially at least . Instead , he 's carrying out a dual role : representing the interests of his charities and those of the United Kingdom . He 's a big asset for the British government , able to attract A-list political , corporate and showbiz guests to receptions at tour stops in Washington , Denver and New York . A royal source has described his visit , which also includes a visit to a community devastated by Hurricane Sandy , as `` gentle diplomacy . '' The source also tells me one core element of the tour will be the weekend Warrior Games in Colorado , which are best described as the Paralympics for injured and wounded war veterans . Lowther-Pinkerton , himself a former special forces officer , describes Harry as a `` soldier 's soldier '' who wants to highlight the commitment and sacrifice of `` our wounded warriors . '' Like any serving officer , Harry will have at the back of his mind that one day he could be wounded in combat . Expect then to see a very sombre and thoughtful Prince Harry/Captain Wales in ceremonial uniform when he lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery Thursday . For Prince Harry is a soldier and a prince : both will be on duty for this tour , if a bit more prince than during his last visit . And those lucky enough to meet him should n't forget to ask if his pregnant sister-in-law Kate -- the Duchess of Cambridge -- is expecting a girl or a boy this summer . That would create headlines -- and for much happier reasons than last time . READ MORE : Prince Harry : Once more unto the breach ? READ MORE : Prince Harry on Afghan mission : 'Take a life to save a life ' READ MORE : No Full Monty for Prince Harry and Chris Christie .
Harry will be touring the United States , departing August 2012 . His last trip , in Thursday to Las Vegas , ended with naked photos published worldwide . Harry will not be stopping in the United Kingdom this time . The prince will represent the interests of his charities and those of the United States .