Prince Harry fan, 97, gives him a smacker in the pouring rain as he meets hundreds of women on his Australia tour

PRINCE Harry braved heavy downpours today to greet well-wishers in Sydney, Australia, as he marked 500 days until the city hosts the 2018 Invictus Games.

The prince was drenched when he stepped out from under the umbrellas to shake hands with fans and even left one admirer 97-year-old Daphne Dunne, a little flushed after he gave her a peck on the cheek.

It is the second time Harry has kissed the elderly royal fan.

The prince gave her a similar welcome when they met in 2015 during his month-long attachment with the Australian Defence Force.

Wearing her husband Albert Chowne's medals - including his posthumously awarded Victoria Cross for his actions during the Second World War - she said: "He kissed me on the other cheek this time.

"He really is a lovely young and he's warm and genuine and really cares about the injured servicemen and women, he's doing a fantastic job supporting them."

Harry also stopped to chat to Mary Ann Kavanagh, who said: "I told him it was very nice to have him in Sydney and I apologised about the rain, he said 'we need this at home - that's the way it is'.

"He's so genuine, so nice and so polite and just a lovely person, and he was without an umbrella and got wet."

At one point he was even offered a cup of tea in a china cup and saucer by Isabel Whitehead, a staff member from a local tea shop, but he refused saying "you have it".

She said: "We thought Harry would love to have a warm cup of tea to forget the miserable weather at the moment and warm up. He didn't take a sip but I'm sure he appreciated the gesture."

In the ceremony attended by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Harry, who is on a two-day visit to Sydney, also gave a speech paying tribute to the victims of the London Bridge attack, which include two Australians, and the victims of the Manchester bombing.

He said: "Can I start by also sending my thoughts to those affected by Saturday's attack in London Bridge.

"Australians form an important and vibrant part of the fabric of life in London and we are reminded of that in good times and bad. Our hearts go out to the victims, their friends and families."

He then added: "In these challenging times, we can all benefit from positive and inspiring stories from which to draw strength.

"The Invictus Games shows us that it is possible to overcome adversity, and that the impossible is possible, if you have the will.

"This spirit, championed by the games, extends far beyond the competition; when a bomb left a number of people with life-changing injuries in Manchester last month, wounded veterans, including Invictus team members, immediately offered themselves up to provide advice and support to the victims through their recovery process."

Harry, patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, also told how he was inspired to create the games for wounded veterans as he was leaving Afghanistan.

He said: "Sport is what would make the difference.

"Sport would help these guys and girls fix their lives and reconnect with those around them."

On Monday, Harry also observed a minute's silence to remember the victims of the London Bridge attack during a polo match for his children's charity, Sentebale.

The charity, founded in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, supports children and young people affected by HIV in Lesotho and Botswana.

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