Within hours of stepping off the plane, the Australian media declared that Prince William had charmed Sydney.
The shrewd choice of visiting an aboriginal community centre in Redfern – a deprived and sometimes dangerous part of Sydney – had melted the hearts of locals and helped the city fall in love with “Prince Charming”, the papers said.
Reports said the move was a resounding success, and could go a long way to extending the lifespan of Australia’s links to the British monarchy.
The Australian newspaper declared the Prince had “won the hearts of Australians” with his relaxed, unpretentious and endearing manner.
During his tour of the Block in Redfern, the Prince “delighted” local children, with many parents declaring he “has his mother’s heart”, the paper said.
Thousands turned out to catch a glimpse of the future king, including one Aboriginal man who climbed a tree to get a good look at the Prince, and a group of young men sporting “I love Willy” t-shirts.
The Sydney Daily Telegraph predicted the visit would cement Australia’s deep admiration for the Windsors and put the republican issue on the back burner.
“William is a powerful weapon for the Royals in Australia”, Paul Colgan wrote.
“You’d be happy to have a beer with him. He has a sense of humour, applies himself to his work, loves sport and enjoys a night on the turps with his brother and his mates.”
Those qualities could slow the republican movement, he said.
“Personal popularity may not be enough to derail Australia’s march towards republicanism, but it will help.”
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