When people suggest that Prince Harry has had a "privileged" upbringing, I wonder if they know the meaning of the word.

He has undoubtedly been brought up in the lap of luxury, with the best education that money can buy. But he has also seen his parents go through a traumatic and very public divorce and then endured the pain of his mother dying at a young age.

Add to this the fact that every step he takes is publicly scrutinised, every adolescent mistake magnified for public consumption and it doesn't seem to be such a privileged position.

There must have come a moment in Harry's life, probably as teenage years approached, when it dawned on him that his life was not his own, that much of his destiny had already been mapped out.

Now, at 21, the reality is that there are far fewer opportunities open to Harry than to many other young people in this country.

From interviews given to coincide with his 21st birthday, it is clear that there remains a rebellious streak within Harry but that he is at least trying to find a cause, possibly a career in the Army, possibly helping Aids victims in Lesotho.

He has had the good sense not to try to make excuses for wearing a Nazi uniform to a fancy dress party, correctly calling it stupid and immature.

But at the same time he says he wants to retain a "child streak" and his own individuality.

Thank goodness for that. The last thing the royal family needs is another awkward, seemingly emotionless plank, performing like a robot controlled by PR advisors with little experience of the real world.

I suspect I am like most people in Britain in that I am not hell bent on the abolition of the monarchy but then again I don't stand when the national anthem comes on the telly.

But in the new generation of Royals - William, Harry and Princess Anne's children Zara and Peter - I see a group of young people who have had troubled family backgrounds but appear to have come through as well rounded individuals.

That reflects well on their parents but also shows the youngsters themselves possess the character to cope with adversity.

Harry's comments that he won't "just find a lame excuse to go abroad and do all sorts of sunny holidays" shows he is sensitive to public perception. And his praise of Camilla and admission that he likes a beer is hopefully a sign that he will resist the clutches of the PC brigade and be his own man.

The most telling comment for me, however, was what Prince Harry said about his Army training at Sandhurst He said: "The best thing is being able to fit in as just a normal person."

It's possibly the only time in his life he will be treated in such a way and it's no wonder he is seriously considering staying in the Army for 30 years.

At 21, Harry not only has to sort his own life out, but also has to cope with the knowledge that the very future of the royal family lies, in part, on his shoulders. How many would envy that "privilege"?

Published: 16/09/2005