Prince Harry invited to serve in Australian city

Britain's Prince Harry speaks with youngsters involved in a film project during a visit to the Full Effect Youth Project in Nottingham, central England February 3, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

SYDNEY -- Australia's Queensland city Townsville has made an impassioned plea for Britain's Prince Harry to make his final tour of duty this year.

It has been reported in London that Prince Harry, or Captain Harry Wales, plans to make Australia his final tour of duty before stepping down from the military later this year.

The tourism body for the tropical city of Townsville will write to Buckingham Palace to invite Prince Harry to their army barracks.

Townsville tourism chief Patricia O'Callaghan said his posting in the city would raise its international image.

"There are a number of internationally acclaimed natural assets that are in Townsville such as the Great Barrier Reef, which I'm sure Prince Harry would love to experience," she said.

"We are confident if we could get Prince Harry to the region, he would fall in love with this place."

Her campaign has been widely reported in Australian media, but so far there has been no official response from Buckingham Palace.