HARRY IS BACK TO HIS BEST FOR HIS CHARITIES

The Duke of Sussex had a busy week - without Meghan promoting causes close to his heart and honouring his late mother, Diana

- REBECCA RUSSELL

The last four years have seen Prince Harry's life turned upside down. In stepping down from his role as a senior royal, he left behind everything he knew - his upbringing, his position and, most sadly of all, his family.

Yet, while the journey has been punctuated by many challenging and emotional times, the Duke of Sussex, 40, looked to have turned a corner last week. He jetted off to New York on a high-profile solo trip, bringing together some of his greatest passions - conservation, the environment and preserving his late mother's memory.

And, if there is one thing this visit has proven, it is that Harry is successfully bridging the divide between his old and new lives - something that a leading royal expert says he should be applauded for.

"We have seen the old Harry again during recent events he's attended in the UK and now in New York," former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively tells OK!. "He is brilliant with the people he meets, especially the children, and I think it shows the family back home that he is still determined to continue his kind of service without all the royal trappings. If he wants to use his platform to do good, then we should applaud him for it."

Even though he could simply enjoy his time as a devoted husband to Meghan, 43, and a proud father to Prince Archie, five, and three-year-old Princess Lilibet, the reality is Harry is still determined to use his public profile to benefit others.

"There's nothing to stop Harry having a pretty low-profile life now - he is, after all, a multi-millionaire and I'm sure he could just live a life of idle pleasure in the Californian sunshine," Jennie points out. "However, he has chosen to use his platform to promote causes he cares about... to 'serve' even though he is not a working royal.