Prince Harry may not be in as much trouble as everyone thought.

Buckingham Palace is defending the Prince, a week after photos of him partying naked in Las Vegas hit the Internet.

"He didn't do anything unlawful," a Palace source told People magazine. "What he did was entirely his own business."

Notice the "source" isn't giving its name. I'd still bet the source's name isn't Elizabeth or Charles.

According to sources and royal watchers, as third in line for the throne, behind his father, Prince Charles, and brother William, 30, Harry won't be changing his ways anytime soon.

Contrary to many predictions of people who supposedly know, Harry will soon resume official duties in London, attending the Paralympics on Aug. 31, and the WellChild Awards ceremony on Sept. 3.

"Harry is a big boy now," says Dai Davies, former head of royal protection services. "He knows the rules, but he thinks, 'I'm going to do whatever I want.'"

It's good to be the Prince.

Contact Tony Hicks at thicks@bayareanewsgroup.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BayAreaNewsGroup.TonyHicks.