Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have put a spring back into the step of the people of Dubbo as the NSW town continues to battle through a severe drought.
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The royal couple's visit to the regional city on Wednesday didn't only bring smiles to people's faces and rain to their dry paddocks but it's also expected to bring a huge economic benefit to the local economy.
"It's been fantastic, to think that a young bloke from England can turn up to western NSW and our hotels are full, our cafes and restaurants are full," Dubbo Mayor Ben Shields told AAP.
"Yes, the extra cash is great but also the morale boost to the people of Dubbo is amazing. Our farmers are doing it tough and it just goes to show the power of the monarchy."
The dust has barely settled from the couple's whirlwind trip to the country but it's already obvious the visit will be one that will be remembered for years to come.
Distance education teacher Jan Duncan from Dubbo already had treasured memories of seeing Queen Elizabeth and her son Prince Charles many years ago.
"We're thrilled to bits. It's having something to remember and tell people about," she told AAP.
During the day in Dubbo, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the local Royal Flying Doctor Service Base, fed cattle at a drought-stricken farm, met with locals at a community picnic and ended the day on a high talking to students at a high school.
While the kids were delighted with the visit, it was the English rain they brought with them that really sweetened the deal.
"They brought the rain, so that's wonderful," Dubbo College Senior Campus school captain Grace Gower told AAP.
The trip to Dubbo came on the second day of the royal couple's trip to Australia and is part of a jam-packed schedule of 76 engagements across 16 days in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland's Fraser Island as well as Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.
Australian Associated Press
