Prince Harry at the Olympics was rakish, funny, but still a statesman

When Prince Harry became the official Royal to close the 2012 London Olympics on August 12, 2012, he stepped into a new, and even more visible, statesman-like role. While Kate, Princess Anne and Vice-Admiral Tim Laurence looked on, it was 27-year-old Harry who was center stage. Fans who watched the Olympics are now reconsidering the man who is third in line to the throne, the "spare," if you prefer to call him, in the "heir and a spare" pair of princes.

Prince Harry and British rower Constantine Louloudis watch Beach Volleyball Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Statesman Harry at Closing Ceremony with IOC president Jacques Rogge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge Credit: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge pose with athletes at Team GB House Credit: John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge pose with Gold medal winning rower Sophie Hosking Credit: John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images

British cyclist Laura Trott (L) watches Beach Volleyball with Prince Harry on Day 12 Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Prince Harry shakes hands with LOCOG Chair Lord Sebastian Coe Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Carole Coe, Prince Harry and Peter Phillips enjoy the atmosphere as they watch the Track Cycling Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Prince Harry, Peter Phillips and former Prime Minister John Major (front)at Track Cycling on Day 11 Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Catherine,Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry during Day 6 - with his tech toys Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Prime Minister David Cameron l Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Harry (L) watches the evening session on Day 5 of the London 2012 Olympic Games Credit: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Prince Harry talks with athletes including Great Britain's Jessica Ennis (3rd from R) during a visit to the Team GB accommodation Credit: John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince William, Catherine, and Prince Harry at Show Jumping Eventing Equestrian Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

LOCOG Chair Lord Sebastian Coe (L), and Prince Harry - cool look in shades, yes? At Eventing Cross Country Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

The perfect statesman - with the President of Gabon Ali Bongo Ondimba and his wife Sylvia Credit: Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images