Australians are remembering the nation's sweetest Prince Harry fan, Daphne Dunne, who has died after a bout of pneumonia.
The 99-year-old royal watcher became a local star and made international headlines for her determination to meet the Duke of Sussex during his past three trips to Australia.
"She was a truly special lady who will be greatly missed by so many," her family posted to Instagram on Tuesday.
"The simple act of stopping Daphne in the street and holding her hand meant more to Daphne than anyone could ever imagine."
Daphne had turned 99 last week and received a letter from Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle congratulating her.
She celebrated in a hospital bed surrounded by family and flowers.
His Royal Highness Prince Harry meets Daphne Dunne, from Turramurra, during a visit to the Sydney Opera House. Source: Getty Images
The Prince and the War Widow
Daphne Dunne first met Prince Harry in 2015 after he had finished a stint with the Australian Army.
She made an instant impression, with her late husband's war medals pinned to her outfit, drawing his attention.
But it was in 2017 when Daphne captured the hearts of the nation, waiting for hours in the rain to meet the Duke of Sussex once again.
Prince Harry hugs then 97-year-old Daphne Dunne in 2017. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac
Last year the war widow, as loyal as ever, waited at the steps of the Sydney Opera House to meet her prince for a third time, on his first trip to Australia with wife Meghan.
Daphne even ended up gracing the front page of the UK's Daily Mirror.
She said at the time that last meeting was her most treasured as she got to congratulate the pair on their first pregnancy.
Prince Harry's wife, Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, met Daphne Dunne on the couple's visit to Australia last year. Source: Getty Images
"I wished them well with the baby on the way and said this is what Harry has been waiting for for so long," she told AAP at the time.
"I got a cuddle too."
An advocate for women of the Australian Army
Daphne was a corporal in the Australian Women's Army Service during the Second World War.
In 1945, her first husband Lieutenant Albert Chowne was posthumously awarded a Victoria Cross for bravery in New Guinea in the Second World War.
The medal itself was presented to her by Queen Elizabeth II's uncle, Prince Henry.
Daphne later married again - to former Changi prisoner of war John Patrick Dunne.
In November, the war widow donned replicas of her husband's medals to attend the launch of defence force book "The Victoria Cross: Australia Remembers".
The Press Association reported from London on Monday that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were deeply saddened by Daphne's death and their thoughts were with her family and friends.
It's reported Harry and Meghan will write privately to her family to express their condolences.
