Australians have always had a soft spot for the larrikin Prince Harry. And after his first official visit here as a married man and a soon-to-be father, they were charmed all over again.

And then there was Meghan, Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Hearts.

A former actress and member of the royal family for just five months, she brought sparkle and glamour, warmth and charm.

Together, Harry and Meghan, who announced on their first night in Australia they were expecting their first baby, won over generals and prime ministers, schoolkids and their parents, war widows, drought-ravaged farmers, teens and toddlers as well as wounded war veterans.

The couple was always attentive and engaged during the 73 engagements they undertook in Sydney, Dubbo, Melbourne, Fraser Island and in Fiji and Tonga, before they ended the 16-day visit in New Zealand on Wednesday.

Thousands of well-wishers showed up to catch a glimpse of the glamorous couple and were thrilled with what they saw.

They found a Harry who was unafraid. Unafraid of breaking royal protocol, of openly showing affection to his wife, revealing his struggles with mental health. And of standing in the pouring rain or swatting off flies.

And they found a Harry who melted hearts worldwide when without hesitation he gave Luke Vincent a bear hug and let the five-year-old Dubbo boy tug on his beard. For Luke, who has Down Syndrome, that made Harry just as good as Santa Claus.

It wasn't the only protocol-breaking hug of the visit. There was the moment Harry introduced 98-year-old war widow Dorothy Dunne to his new bride, and the one when teenager India Brown was overwhelmed and crying after getting a hug in Melbourne.

Meghan, too, managed to impress with her attempt at an AFL handball (while wearing stilettos!) in Melbourne, and her acceptance of a gold-painted macaroni necklace from six-year-old Gavin Hazelwood that perfectly complemented her custom-made Dion Lee dress.

She inspired young women, one of her campaigns as a royal, including those she met at Dubbo College's Girls Academy program, a powerful in-school mentoring program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls.

Meghan was presented with a Girls Academy T-shirt with the mission statement "Develop a girl, Change a community".

Meghan told the girls: "You're speaking my language,."

"For us as Aboriginal girls, her being of a different race and being a royal shows us anyone can be accepted. She's a role model," Tiarnie McBride said.

The duchess gave three speeches during the visit. Two of those - in Fiji and in New Zealand - delivered powerful messages for the empowerment of girls and women.

Her third speech was at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Sydney for wounded war veterans last Saturday.

The games, founded by Harry - a 10-year veteran of the British Army - were the main reason Harry and Meghan chose Australia (alongside Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand) for their first overseas royal tour.

Meghan focused on the contribution of families and friends to the recovery of veterans.

Harry spoke about the spirit of Invictus and the role the games and sport have in helping war veterans recover from their physical and mental wounds.

"Our competitors have helped turn the issue of mental health from a sad story to an inspiring one. They want to live rather than just be alive."

The tour was Harry's fifth visit to Australia. He followed in the footsteps of his father Prince Charles who also brought his new wife, Diana, to Australia for their first major overseas tour in 1983.

During that visit massive crowds turned out to see them amid an outbreak of "Di mania".

Thirty five years on, Australians, Fijians, Tongans and New Zealanders were just as welcoming for Harry and Meghan.

As they left Sydney, they said they would love to return soon with their little one who will have a nursery full of stuffed versions of native animals from both Australia and New Zealand - and a pair of ugg boots as well.

And they would be welcomed back.

"Both Prince Harry and Meghan have brought a real gift to Sydney and we really thank them for being here and we hope to see them again soon," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

Australian Associated Press