We fought for king and country, come and visit us, is the message Montecillo Veterans Home and Hospital residents and staff want to deliver to Prince Charles.
The visit to New Zealand later this year by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall is yet to be officially announced, and the itinerary will not be set for several months.
But Montecillo's former servicemen and women are already staking their claim.
"There has been an association between the Royal Family and Montecillo since its inception," Montecillo Trust chairman, David More, said.
"We will be doing what we have to, to get him to visit."
For Montecillo resident Bill McConnell (89), it is 77 years since his last royal handshake.
As a young teen living in South Canterbury, he shook hands with the Duke of Gloucester - the same Duke who signed himself simply as "Henry" when he visited Montecillo in Dunedin on January 11, 1935.
In the intervening decades, Mr McConnell served with the 26th Battalion, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, in Italy, and then taught and worked as a school principal.
"We taught loyalty to royalty," Mr McConnell said.
He is keen for the Prince to visit Dunedin and the Montecillo veterans rest-home.
"That would be great, wouldn't it ... I've always liked a bit of royalty," he said.
The British Royal Family's connection with Montecillo began with a visit by the Prince of Wales, later to become King Edward VIII, on May 19, 1920.
His brother, the Duke of York, later to be crowned George VI, then added his signature "Albert" in 1927.
In 1980, Prince Edward, Duke of York, also visited Montecillo.
The home has residents who had fought in conflicts around the world for king and country, Mr More said.
"It would be fair to say most of the old soldiers would be supporters of the monarchy. Hopefully Prince Charles will visit later this year."
Ken Jeffrey (93), who served as a lieutenant with the Third Division, Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, in the Pacific, said he had sworn an oath of loyalty to the Crown as a soldier, and was likely to be in the crowd if Prince Charles visited.
Margaret Dey (92) was working as a during World War 2, growing tomatoes and cucumbers in greenhouses in the North of Wales, when the Queen's great-aunt Princess Mary visited.
"I love the Royal Family ... those visits were very much appreciated," Mrs Dey said.
Dunedin mayor Dave Cull said city council staff had contacted the Department of Internal Affairs about the possibility of Prince Charles and Lady Camilla visiting Dunedin.
"I would be surprised if something didn't happen in Dunedin ... particularly as it is the diamond jubilee year," Mr Cull said.
Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, the Very Rev Dr Trevor James, has sent an invitation through the Prime Minister's office.
"I said we would like to welcome them and hold an ecumenical service, and make it an occasion for the city," Dr James said.
The Department of Internal Affairs' Visits and Ceremonial Office would help set the New Zealand itinerary, a department spokesman said.
"If Dunedin people want to put forward any views for that, they could contact the director of the Diamond Jubilee Office."
To make submissions on the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall's NZ visit itinerary write to: Director of the Diamond Jubilee Office, PO Box 805, Wellington, or phone (04) 471 9999. A website will be set up after the Prime Minister has formally announced the visit.
