Prince Harry has arrived at Sydney's Garden Island Naval Base for the International Fleet Review. Source: AAP
HE may like to party, but Prince Harry was all business as he greeted adoring fans, inspected warships, and met the prime minister and his family on his first official visit to Australia.
Thousands of Harry fans turned out to catch a glimpse of the fourth-in-line to the British throne in Sydney as part of the International Fleet Review.
The 29-year-old prince is the big drawcard of the eight-day navy extravaganza, which marks 100 years since the Royal Australian Navy fleet sailed into Sydney Harbour.
Dressed in a white tropical dress uniform of the British Army and a blue Army Air Corps beret, the 29-year-old began the day by saluting naval officers before being greeted by navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs at Sydney naval base Garden Island.
Captain Wales, as he's known in the British military, then boarded the HMAS Leeuwin where Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Defence Minister David Johnston and a host of other dignitaries were waiting for him.
After being welcomed on the harbour by a 100 gun salute, Harry spent the next few hours on board HMAS Leeuwin inspecting the warship fleet alongside Governor General Quentin Bryce.
The prince's appearance on the harbour coincided with a dazzling display by navy aircraft and helicopters, thrilling thousands lining the foreshore.
Back on land and donning a crisp navy-coloured suit, blue tie and white shirt, Harry turned his attention to his Sydney fans.
Making a surprise appearance at the Rocks, there were screams, smiles and waves as the red-haired prince emerged from his car at Sydney Harbour to greet a heaving crowd of fans.
In the 10-minute stop, Harry shook hands and said hello to hundreds who were hugging the barricades in an effort to see him.
Linda Wickens handed him a stuffed dingo as a present for his nephew Prince George.
The prince then stopped for a quick photo with her 12-year-old daughter Annabel who summed up the experience in one word: "awesome".
From there, the prince took a boat to Kirribilli House, where he was greeted by Mr Abbott, his wife Margie and daughters Bridget and Frances.
They posed for official photographs and walked through the gardens before greeting a crowd that had gathered at the gates of the prime minister's Sydney residence.
"What do you think of your new neighbour?" Harry asked one of the locals, referring to the newly-elected Mr Abbott.
Inside, the prime minister reflected on the special day, joking that Prince Harry appealed to even those Australians who aren't royalists.
"Prince Harry, I regret to say not every Australian is a monarchist," he said.
"But today everyone feels like a monarchist."
The prince is understood to be later hosting a private function for injured veterans of Afghanistan, a cause he actively supports.
He is due to leave Sydney for Perth on Sunday morning for the next leg of his Aussie tour.
The Fleet Review's Fireworks and Lightshow Spectacular is due to start at 7.30pm (AEST) at Sydney Harbour.
Up to one million people are expected to gather on the foreshore for the event.
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