Sydney Opera House's royal connections

The Sydney Opera House doesn't need much help when it comes to publicity.  One of the most famous landmarks in the world, it attracts thousands of visitors every year and is one of the most photographed buildings ever.  And yet in the last six months, it's become a magnet for royals.  Kate and William have just trod its famous steps, Harry was hanging around the place in October last year and just as he left Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary arrived to do the royal tourist thing.  There are almost too many fabulous photos to choose from.

Kate and William tred a well worn path - theirs is the third royal visit the Sydney Opera House has had in the last six months

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were at the Opera House on day one of their tour of Australia and they got quite a crowd as they visited the building, took part in an event linked to the World Cricket Cup which is coming to the country next year and then did a walkabout.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Sydney Opera House on April 16th 2014

But they didn't quite match the crowd pulling power of Prince Harry on his trip to Sydney in October 2013.  He was there to take part in a Review of the Fleet on behalf of the Queen and the crowds that day were enormous - but then the regatta with boats from around the world might have had something to do with that.  But the prince was all but mobbed as he did his own walkabout with the Opera House in the background - his brother and sister in law have a couple more days in the city to see if they can outdo him on this one.

Prince Harry joins the Sydney Opera House royal fan club on his visit to the city in October 2013 - here he poses for a photo in front of the landmark with the Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott, and his wife and daughters

But some commentators argue that the most popular royal of all in Australia right now is actually the Crown Princess of Denmark.  Mary Elizabeth Donaldson of Tasmania became future consort of one of the world's oldest monarchies when she married Crown Prince Frederik and he became her plus one when the couple were invited to Sydney in October 2013 to help mark the 40th anniversary of the Opera House - which was designed by Danish architects.

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary do the Opera House thing in October 2013

On that visit, the couple took part in an awards ceremony at the Opera House and attended a concert to mark the anniversary.  And their walkabouts were popular events too with plenty of Danish flags mixed in among the Australian ones.  Kate and William's Sydney success story is the latest chapter in a royal tale that keeps going on and on for the Opera House.