LONDON — Say goodbye to the party prince; say hello to the queen’s secret weapon.

That’s how royal watchers have seen Prince Harry’s first major diplomatic tour — a 10-day jaunt to the Caribbean and South America to represent his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II as part of celebrations marking her Diamond Jubilee.

The trip offered Harry, 27, a first step onto the international stage in a role that will become increasingly common as a younger generation of royals step to the fore.

The official part of the trip, which also included a business-boosting visit to Brazil, ended Sunday with a charity polo match after which Harry gave an exuberant thumbs up after he was kissed on the cheek by a brunette model.

On Monday, he set out for Brazil’s interior to study its ecosystems as part of a private project conducted by the charitable foundation he runs with his brother, Prince William.

Press reports emphasized that Harry had been a hit with locals and made good on his vow to make his grandmother proud.

Robert Lacey, author of several books about the queen, said Harry’s successful trip reflects his new maturity.

“He’s grown into this role in the last few years, in part because of his military career,” Lacey said “There were concerns because of some mishaps over the years that Harry would be the troublesome one in the family, but he’s really doing remarkably well.”

As a younger man and teenager, Harry raised eyebrows with his fondness for partying and, most notoriously, when he wore Nazi gear to a costume party.

Earlier in the trip, Harry met with Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller — a sensitive visit given her opposition to maintaining the queen’s traditional role as Jamaica’s head of state — and in the middle of his tour the prince had to deal publicly with the death of six British servicemen in Afghanistan.

New parents get out to a Dream performance

NEW YORK — It was Sunday “fun day” for Beyonce and Jay-Z: The new parents enjoyed a concert by R&B singer The-Dream in New York.

The top music couple jammed to the singer-songwriter in the VIP section of the club SOB’s.

The-Dream co-wrote and co-produced Beyonce’s massive hit “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).” He also worked his magic on Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Justin Bieber’s “Baby” and “Touch My Body” by Mariah Carey.

He performed a number of his own hits Sunday night, including “Shawty Is a 10” and “I Luv Your Girl.” He’ll release his fourth album, “Love IV MMXII,” later this year.

The Grammy winner thanked the crowd for coming out, saying: “I know some of ya’ll got kids at home.” Beyonce and Jay-Z have a daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, who was born in January.

Tycoon’s online service to bring back Larry King

NEW YORK — A new online programming venture bankrolled by the world’s richest man will launch with the return of a veteran television personality — Larry King.

King will start up a daily talk show later this year for Ora.TV. The new service, backed by Mexican communications billionaire Carlos Slim, will provide programming for tablets, cellphones, computers and Internet-connected TVs.

King hosted a nightly interview program on CNN for 25 years. He retired in 2010.

No date has been set for when Ora.TV will become available.

The company says it has other programs besides King’s in development, but wouldn’t discuss them Monday. 

Comic Harvey gets own show

CHICAGO — Steve Harvey is going to star in his own daily television show to be taped in Chicago.

In a news release, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn said the comedian, actor, author and radio host will host a one-hour program called “Steve Harvey.” Quinn said the program will create about 100 jobs and could bring about 35,000 audience members and visitors to the city each year.

The release said Harvey will cover a host of topics, from parenting to relationships to navigating today’s workplace.