Playboy Prince Harry is top of wish list for gala centenary fleet review Prince Harry, seen here learning sign language on a visit to a centre for the deaf in Lesotho, is expected to visit Sydney in October. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images Source: Getty Images PRINCE Harry, the larrikin royal and third in-line to the British throne, is in the Navy's sights to visit Australia as guest of honour at a gala celebration later this year. The bachelor prince would be a hugely popular visitor if he flies in to add a royal touch to the centenary fleet review in Sydney Harbour on October 3. Up to 33 Australian and foreign warships and more than 6000 sailors will be at the event which is tipped to generate up to $40 million for the local economy. Government sources confirmed the Royal Australian Navy had requested royal patronage for the International Fleet Review and had been told Prince Harry was the member of the House of Windsor most likely to be available to review the fleet of 19 Australian and up to 14 foreign warships. A renowned party animal the bachelor prince would not be bored during his Sydney stay as nightclub district Kings Cross and other parts of the city transform into huge party venues for cashed-up sailors. Buckingham Palace has told the Navy that Prince Harry's presence would ultimately depend on several factors including his military commitments, security concerns and other events. "We will achieve royal patronage but the palace will not announce the name until much closer to the event," a defence source said. St James' Palace yesterday declined to comment on reports of a possible royal visit, saying they never discussed in advance visits royal members may or may not be taking. The 29-year-old prince, who is a royal army helicopter pilot and Afghanistan war veteran, has visited Australia once before during his gap year in 2003 when he spent most of his time working on a Queensland sheep station. He also visited Taronga Park Zoo for a photo opportunity with koalas and an echidna. The fleet review will cost the cash strapped navy in excess of $6 million and invitations have been issued to navies from the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, China, Singapore, Spain, Korea, Russia and Turkey to send ships to the centenary celebration. The flotilla will assemble in Jervis Bay and cruise through Sydney Heads on the morning of October 3 to mark 100 years since the RAN fleet first entered the world famous port and major navy base. The guided missile frigate HMAS Sydney (4) will lead the armada that will include frigates, patrol boats, a submarine, supply, amphibious and survey ships and a heavy landing craft. Part of the Garden Island navy base will be off limits to ships during the review due to the shambolic state of the massive hammerhead crane that towers above the main wharf. Public consultations about the crane have been completed and the vast majority of people support its removal. The historic crane is no longer used and is a serious safety hazard that costs taxpayers about $720,000-a-year to maintain. It is due to be dismantled and removed next year at a cost of about $2.5 million.