Ardent royalist Yvonne Gawn could not help herself when face to face with Prince Harry at Invercargill Airport today.
After shaking his hand she stole a hug and followed that up by stroking his neck.
"What a moment! I can't believe that happened. I'm 68 and this is the closest I've been to royalty,'' she declared afterwards, a beaming smile on her face.
She and her friend Jenny Fraser arrived at the airport at 9am, two hours before the prince and his entourage arrived by RNZAF aeroplane. By 10.30am hundreds were packed into the terminal building.
Some carried signs, including one held aloft by a group of girls which invited Harry to come and have his photograph taken with him. He obliged.
A couple dressed in England rugby jersies and waved a British flag. A woman showed the prince photographs from a women's magazine of his new niece, Princess Charlotte, which he examined closely, while another woman, who said later she was a dairy farmer, gave him a small cow soft toy.
Tania Lowe travelled from Tapanui, combining a visit to family with an opportunity to see the prince.
"I thought, the royals don't come down here very often so I would make the most of it.''
Prince Harry - officially Prince Henry of Wales - spent about 40 minutes at the airport, attending a welcome hosted by Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt before flying by helicopter to Stewart Island.
Christie Peacock, of Invercargill, who described herself as a "bit of a royal fan'', said as well as going to the airport she had also booked a ferry ride to to Stewart Island this afternoon and was staying two nights there in the hope of seeing the prince again.
"Princes don't come down here very often and I have never been to Stewart Island before, so it was a good opportunity.''
Another Henry was almost the star of the show at the welcome function - Henry the tuatara.
The longtime resident of the Southland Museum & Art Gallery's "tuatarium'' is believed to be at least 110 years old.
He sat on tuatara keeper Lindsay Hazley's knee during the official speeches, getting a little feisty before sitting quietly on the prince's arm for a short time.
While visiting British media covering the event had to be told what a tuatara was and how to spell the word, Prince Harry was more familiar with the creatures, Mr Hazley said afterwards.
"He said he knew something about them, and he was happy to hold Henry.''
Prince Harry learnt to shuck the famous Bluff oyster while visiting the Stewart Island Community Centre.
About 80 people from 10 community groups were gathered inside to meet the prince this afternoon. Outside about 100 people gathered to catch a glimpse of the flame-haired royal.
Southland District mayor Gary Tong walked Prince Harry into the centre and around the stalls of 10 community groups, including the bowls club and land search and rescue.
Prince Harry’s visit to Stewart Island comes more than 60 years after his grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, visited Invercargill and Bluff when they came on a royal tour in 1954.
With a population of 378 the island had almost a quarter of its residents inside the centre.
The prince wore a navy blue jumper and matching dress pants while he spoke to the Island residents.
Community centre treasurer Chris Sara said it was not often people get the chance to shake the hand of royalty.
"A quarter of the population has probably shaken his hand now."
Mr Sara was excited to get home to his wife and tell her about meeting him.
"I'll go home and shake my wife's hand, I'll ask her what part of her she wants me to touch."
One of the youngest members in the crowd was 12-year-old Angus Kenny, who is a member of the Stewart Island Bowls Club.
Meeting the prince was "pretty cool", he said.
"He's more down-to-earth than I thought he would be."
The resounding opinion of the day seemed to be that Prince Harry was easy to talk to.
Nic Adlan, of Stewart Island Smoked Salmon, said speaking to him was awesome.
"He was just so lovely and open it was just like talking to one of your own kids really."
One island resident had the chance to ask Prince Harry a burning question. Gwen Neave, who was there representing Victim Support and the island's arts trust, asked the prince how England's rugby team was looking.
"'What are the England team looking like?' he said 'very good'," she said.
He then said he would see New Zealand in the finals of the Rugby World Cup, she said.
While mingling with the crowd and charming the residents, Prince Harry had many of the island residents nervous.
Stewart Island Rakiura Community Environment Trust trustee Sharon Ross said her heart was racing as the prince approached.
"I never thought I would get to shake his hand," she said.
SIRCET members spoke to the royal about their role in protecting the island's wildlife.
Ms Ross was able to find out what Prince Harry was most hoping to see on his trip.
"He really wants to see a kiwi, so I hope he does."
The highlight of his trip to the community centre involved a knife and an oyster, as the prince tried his hand at oyster shucking. Once opened, he handed the oyster off to a member of the crowd to have a taste.
