There is no denying it, Prince Harry is Princess Diana's son.
Once regarded as the "party prince", after being caught smoking marijuana and playing dress-up in a Nazi uniform, the humanity and grace the 32-year-old inherited from his mother has well and truly kicked in.
Never has the prince's authenticity and warmth been on such prominent display to his Australian fans than during his latest, whirlwind, rain-soaked tour of Sydney to launch his passion project, the 2018 Invictus Games.
The Paralympics-style event is the only international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick members of the armed forces – something Harry established in 2014 in London that will be held in Australia in October next year.
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As well as securing numerous corporate sponsors, the initiative Down Under has also secured the financial backing of James and Gretel Packer via the Packer Family Foundation.
"As Australians know better than anyone, sport has an unparalleled ability to bring people together," Prince Harry said.
This year it's Toronto's turn, where the likes of Australian air force Pilot Officer Nathan Parker and ex-serviceman Garry Robinson are hoping to take part.
Pilot Officer Parker, 21, is hoping to compete in the indoor rowing, running and swimming events in Canada in September. He'll know whether months of training in all three disciplines has paid off when the Australian team for the 2017 Invictus Games is announced on Sunday.
"No one cares how you got injured and what injuries you have," Pilot Officer Parker said. "When you get in that environment it's all about pushing your limits to get back to or focus on who you want to be."
Pilot Officer Parker, who joined the armed forces in 2014 and sustained severe injuries in a bus accident during a training exercise, met Prince Harry while swimming laps at Sydney's International Aquatic Centre on Thursday as the royal toured the facilities where 500 athletes from 17 countries will compete in the Invictus Games next October.
"To have him come and meet us when we're hard at work in the pool is phenomenal," Pilot Officer Parker said. "It's awesome to have someone like that driving the program. He's so invested in the games and the people behind it. He just wants to help people recover."
While Harry posed for photos with the other members of the 10-strong squad, Mr Robinson, after a brief chat with the royal, kept swimming – swimming with just one leg.
The 43-year-old lost his left leg and suffered several other horrific injuries when a Black Hawk he was on crashed in Afghanistan in 2010, killing four others, including his best mate who was seated beside him.
After long stints of rehabilitation, medical staff entered the former triathlete in the inaugural Invictus Games, something that changed, and saved, his life.
He won medals in London and then again at the 2016 event in Orlando last year.
"I almost owe Harry my life because I was going through a serious stage of depression and just wouldn't get out of bed. The first Invictus Games virtually got the old Garry back and gave me the strength and willpower to carry on," Mr Robinson said.
"We've caught up a few times and had a beer," Mr Robinson added of the former Captain Wales. "He's great for a chat, he's just a good bloke."
Prince Harry checks out the team Australia squad training session at the Aquatic Centre where they have the chance to compete in 2018. pic.twitter.com/fv3oWipNKN
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) June 8, 2017
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