Prince William is on his way to New Zealand to represent the Queen on his first official overseas tour.
Afterwards, he will be travelling to neighbouring Australia for a series of unofficial engagements. It is the first time he has visited the country since he was nine months old.
But what kind of reception can he expect to receive in a country with an increasingly strong republican sentiment?
In a recent poll, 59% of Australians said they would like to get rid of the monarchy.
Mike Keating, of the Australian Republican Movement, says he is "underwhelmed" by the prospect of William's arrival.
"Why is he coming? He's not the first in line to the throne. He knows nothing about Australia, on his own acknowledgement.
"And for two days? He's going to familiarise himself with Australia in two days? Visiting only Melbourne and Sydney?"
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is also an avowed Republican and so a royal visit is not high on his list of priorities.
But at the Copenhagen summit in December, he told Sky News he may find time to welcome Wills - Aussie style.
"I'm not sure when he's coming. But I'll say hi and I'll buy him a beer or two".
Royalists are confident that the young prince can win the country over.
David Flint, of the campaign group Australians for Constitutional Monarchy, said: "He could very easily be a playboy prince.
"But he is a young man who has eschewed leisure and taken up service.
"He has given himself to serve in the Armed Forces and also in relation to a number of very important charities".
Mr Flint added: "I think Australians will react very well and will very much like Prince William".
Certainly Sydney, where William is spending two days of his whirlwind tour, is planning for crowds.
New South Wales Tourism Minister Jodi MacKay described him as having "global pull" and said the city is expecting some "Prince William mania".
The prince is also said to be excited about the trip, having heard much about Australia from his father and his brother Harry, who spent part of his gap year there.
His advisers are adamant he is not visiting the country to drum up support for the monarchy, or to get embroiled in politics.
It is, they say, simply a chance for him to get to know Australia and its people - and vice versa. After all, one day he could be their king.
SKY News
