THE Last Post changed it all.
Far from the crowds gathered in Sydney harbour, far from the light show which comprised much of tonight's celebration and the music which tied it together revellers were left questioning what had happened.
Aboard the Soren Larsen and multitudes of ships drifting around it, crowds were left wondering if they had made a serious miscalculation by taking their party to sea.
For long periods the fireworks would stop and revellers were left watching lights dance in the distance across trailing clouds of smoke.
Fireworks light up the International Fleet Review in Sydney Harbour. Source: Supplied
But that was all.
"Do you think something has gone wrong," one partygoer says. "This is supposed to be bigger than New Years isn't it?"
For ten minutes you can hear the resignation as they chat louder and laugh more often. People don't turn their backs to the show but they turn side on. I see one crew member who is sitting like a monkey in the rigging get out his phone.
Then the Last Post changes it all.
Fireworks light up the International Fleet Review in Sydney Harbour. Source: Supplied
The first notes are unmistakable as they drift across the harbour. They're something every Australian school student has heard and anyone who has ever gone to an ANZAC celebration remembers, burnt into our consciousness by the silence imposed along with them.
"Last Post," someone mutters, then louder "Last Post, SHUT UP", they do.
The promised fireworks come - and they are bigger, brighter and louder than New Years - there have been 40 people unpacking this pyrotechnics show for two weeks after all.
But they don't seem like the celebration they are on January 1.
Fireworks light up the International Fleet Review in Sydney Harbour. Picture: DAMIAN SHAW Source: Supplied
The crowd watch with straighter backs, less photographs, more reverence.
In one moment the Last post changed it from more than just a celebration - it became a remembrance and a homage as well.
As the last explosions finish and we are left with the blaring of hundreds of boat horns ringing out across the smoky harbour people cheer, but then more than a few of them pause to look out across the water.
HARRY WOWS THE CROWDS
IT WAS as big as a One Direction concert, or at least close to it.
As Prince Harry emerged from his motorcade at Campbell's Cove at The Rocks just before 3.30pm, dressed in a sharp navy suit and blue tie, the assembled crowd went wild.
Everyone from young girls to middle-aged parents and the elderly were chanting, "Harry! Harry!" and then there were yelled professions of love.
Prince Harry greeting the public at Campbell’s Cove in Sydney today as part of his visit to the Harbour City for the Australian Royal Navy's International Fleet Review. Source: News Limited
One larrikin bloke shouted, "Go the ranga!" while a woman dared to ask, "When are you getting married?", to which he laughed and swiftly deflected the question.
To this reporter's query of how he was enjoying his visit, he smiled widely and responded, "It's lovely here. Very short, though."
He gravitated towards children and babies, shaking small hands, ruffling hair and always happy to pose for endless camera phone photos and selfies.
"He seems obsessed with his phone," the prince observed to the mother of a young boy trying to take a photo.
Ever the gentleman, when Therese Burke, 47, of Cammeray, accidentally dropped her straw hat over a barricade, the royal didn't hesitate to bend over and pick it up.
Ms Burke's daughter Lauren, a 22-year-old student, insists it wasn't a deliberate ploy by her mother to nab her girl a prince, even if it meant she was then able to enjoy a one-on-one chat with him.
"The straw hat is the new glass slipper when it comes to getting a prince," the younger Ms Burke joked.
"My mum is like my wingwoman.
"He was just saying how excited he was about being in Sydney. He said he was very lucky because he had the best vantage point to watch the fireworks and said he'd heard they were the best in the world.
"I feel very lucky. I'm very jittery."
Daniel Beech, 31, from Wilberforce near Windsor, tried to hand over 11-month-old daughter Eleanor for the prince to hold, but he told him: "I can't be responsible."
"Nan would have loved it," Mr Beech said. "It would have been something (the baby) would never forget."
Pictured is Prince Harry greeting the public at CampbellÕs Cove in Sydney today as part of his visit to the Harbour City for the Australian Royal Navy's International Fleet Review. Source: News Limited
His wife Claire Beech, 33, admitted she was slightly concerned when Mr Beech held her infant high over the barricades.
"I'm always worried when Dan throws the child to someone I don't know," Mrs Beech said. "But he's an uncle now so he should know babies."
Linda Wickens, 51, a self-declared "royalist" from Mollymook on the south coast, managed to pass the prince a gift bag filled with a toy dingo and the children's book Magic Beach intended for his new nephew George.
"He said, 'I'll make sure he gets it," Ms Wickens said. "He was fantastic. I said, 'You do your grandmother proud."
Prince Harry is mobbed as he makes his way to a boat to take him to Kirribilli this afternoon. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images
Suzy Vera, 47, from Seven Hills, was in the crowd with daughter Kristen, 14, and her sister Rose Zaiter, 35, from Granville.
"He has a warm heart like his mum," Ms Vera said. "He's everyone's favourite because he's cheeky.
"He asked us why we were all here and we said, 'for you.' He's gorgeous."
Prince Harry meets fans at Campbell’s Cove. International Fleet Review on Sydney Harbour. Source: News Limited
Philip Latimer, 73, travelled to see the fleet review from Brisbane with his partner Nancy Foster, 66.
"I told him he's the fourth one in the family that I've met - I met his grandmother, his grandfather, his mum and his father," Mr Latimer. "He said to me that's great, but he was more interested in the ladies."
Prince Harry on board a cruiser ready to take him to Kirribilli House this afternoon. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images
Ma Foster said she was "taken aback" the prince took the time to stop and chat.
"In 1954, I saw Diana - I was a child on a car roof waving a little flag," Ms Foster said.
"He reminds me of Diana. He just said, 'hello, hello.' I was just so taken aback that he came across. We've been hopping from one leg to another just waiting for him."
After spending almost 30 minutes greeting the crowd - far longer than his press people promised - the prince boarded a boat for Kirribilli, where he attended a function hosted by Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Prince Harry is mobbed as he makes his way to a boat to take him to Kirribilli this afternoon. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images
Tens of thousands of people are staking out vantage points around Circular Quay ahead of tonight's firework display.
On the harbour, hundreds of cruise ships and small boats jockey for position outside the exclusion area.
On the tall ship Soren Larsen around two hundred and fifty people are on their way to the best seats in the house in Rose Bay.
A band is playing and guests are treated to full bar and meal services.
The more adventurous - including some young children - take turns climbing the ship's mast.
At the Opera House a large contingent of sailors are in place.
Prince Harry shakes hands and poses for photos at Campbell’s Cove. Source: News Limited
ROYAL SALUTE FOR PRINCE HARRY
Earlier in the day a woman yelled "Love you, Harry!" as the young Prince received a Royal salute before boarding HMAS Leeuwin at Sydney's Garden Island this morning ahead of the International Fleet Review.
The fourth in line to the British throne is in town to help celebrate 100 years since the Royal Australian Navy fleet first entered Sydney waters.
GALLERY: PRINCE HARRY ON SYDNEY HARBOUR
He arrived on a commercial Qantas flight which touched down at Sydney Airport just before 10pm last night.
It's his first official trip Down Under representing the royal family and will be the shortest ever trip made by a royal.At 10am, Governor-General Quentin Bryce arrived, dressed in a smart, light blue and inspected the fleet before also boarding HMAS Leeuwin, where she and the Prince joined Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Governor Marie Bashir, Premier Barry O'Farrell, Opposition Leader Chris Bowen and other dignitaries who had been arriving since 9am.
Even Mr O'Farrell appeared starstruck, whipping out what appeared to be his mobile phone to record the scene from the upper deck as the prince and Governor-General arrived.
As soon as the royal motorcade and police escort sped through Cowper Wharf Road, the gathered crowd went wild, screaming and clapping.
Prince Harry takes the Salute. Source: News Limited
Prince Harry emerged from a white car precisely on schedule at 9.45am, looking strapping in his white military uniform as a navy band played.
He stepped up on the Dias to receive a royal salute from assembled navy officers before embarking the ship.
The prince could be seen chatting to guests before the ship pulled out just after 10.15am, on their way to inspect major war vessels from 17 nations after they entered the harbour to a 100-gun salute.
Crowds enjoy the perfect Sydney weather at the base of the Harbour Bridge to watch the International Fleet Review. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images
The Prince was last night escorted from Sydney Airport by Australian Federal Police officers to a hotel in the city.
Anne Thatcher, of Ramsgate, and her teenage daughter Kobie, were among a handful of excited royal watchers at the airport.
"Harry's our favourite, he's like an Aussie - a fun loving, down to earth larakin with a sense of humour," she said.
"I'm going scream and he might come up and see us and he might want to take her out."
Six NSW Police motorbike riders in full ceremonial outfit led a motorcade which left the car park and headed to the inner-city hotel where the prince is staying during short official visit for the Australian Navy Fleet Review, his first visit to Australia in ten years.
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