Prince Harry a hit in Australia - Queen thanks ADF

Despite the rain hundreds of people turned up on Easter Monday morning to welcome Prince Harry back to Australia.

Prince Harry has arrived in Australia ahead of a four-week placement with the Australian Defence Force.

Prince Harry sticks a poppy flower into the Roll of Honour to commemorate the fallen.

He laid a wreath later at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier in Canberra before beginning his military attachment. At the Australian War Memorial The Governor-General, The Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, MC, and senior Government officials welcomed the Queen's grandson.

During the placement he will patrol with Aboriginal soldiers and train with the country's special forces. Prince Harry has said that he is, "tremendously looking forward" to this month-long attachment. He has trained and served alongside Australian Armed Forces on operational tours to Afghanistan; he has met them during the Invictus Games; and even trekked to the South Pole with a couple of Australian Soldiers. Those experiences reinforced the huge admiration and respect he already had for Australian servicemen and women and has stoked his enthusiasm even more to build on those relationships in the next four weeks.

He knows he will learn a huge amount from his Australian colleagues during this attachment and he is grateful to the ADF for producing such a varied and interesting programme for him.

The Queen has thanked the Australian military for welcoming Prince Harry and said he will "benefit greatly" from the attachment with the "diggers". Her gratitude was expressed in a message delivered by Harry on her behalf to Australia's Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin.

The Queen's message said: "I am delighted that the long and enduring association between the Australian and British armies will be joined by the military secondment of my grandson, Prince Harry.

"Together, our armed forces share skills, resources and resolve in order to uphold and defend our common values.

"In 2015, when together we commemorate the many sacrifices of our countrymen at Gallipoli a century ago, it is fitting that we can also reflect on the strength and persistence today of those common values and our professional military ties.

"I know that Captain Wales will benefit greatly from spending time with the Australian Diggers and I thank you for welcoming him into your ranks.

Elizabeth R.