Britain's Prince Harry met members of the public at the Sydney Opera House on Thursday (7 May), as he nears the end of his month-long attachment with the Australian Army.

The Prince, fifth in line to the British throne, spent nearly an hour meeting hundreds of people who lined the steps of the Opera House.

Local media described the event as a farewell at the end of Harry's time in Australia before he heads to New Zealand on Saturday (9 May) to begin an eight-day official visit.

"He was very friendly, he's lovely, just approachable and give you time, gives his time to you," said one woman in the crowd who spoke to the prince.

"He was very nice, down to earth," said a young girl who met the royal. "Do you have a crush on him now," a reporter asked? "A little bit," she said.

"We go to boarding school and the Boarding Director let us out just to come and see Harry because we live way out west and she's so kind," said a schoolgirl in the crowd who also met the prince.

Prince Harry is set to leave the army in June. He is quitting front-line military roles to help organise commemorative events, the latest member of Britain's royal family to take on more official duties as the Queen scales down her workload.

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