On his final day on the Island the Duke of York left a lasting impression as a Royal who is tactile, friendly and approachable, with Premier Alex Scott among those praising Prince Andrew both as a man and an ambassador for the British Royal Family.

As he toured the streets of St. George's the Prince joked with visitors and locals, but there was also a moment of compassion as the Duke rested a hand of comfort on the shoulder of teenager Alex Lymbery, daughter of the late fisherman Alan Edness, while meeting families who lost loved ones at sea.

That poignant moment came after a busy day of engagements in Hamilton, St. George's and St. David's.

Unsuspecting visitors and many locals found themselves caught up in the excitement of the Royal visit as the Prince was shown around the Island and took time out to stop and chat with bystanders on a number of occasions.

Descending the steps of St. Peter's Church in St. George's he spied sightseers standing on the other side of Duke of York Street waiting to catch a glimpse of him, and as he crossed the road he jokingly asked: "Do you always stand out here with your backs to the wall?"

He displayed a similarly disarming charm earlier when he stepped off the fast ferry Venturilla having sailed from Hamilton along the North Shore of the Island and through Town Cut.

As he disembarked he greeted a small gathering of sightseers and stopped for a quick chat, asking them: "What are you doing? Waiting to see me?"

American visitors Andrew and Ernestine Iovino, from Virginia, were among the group. Mr. Iovino said: "He's very friendly and relaxed. He's Mr. (Tony) Blair all over again."

Londoner Peter Dudzicki, who has recently arrived on the Island, was sitting in the White Horse Tavern when he noticed the commotion outside and popped across King's Square to see what was happening. He was surprised to find himself virtually at arms' length to the Queen's second son and fourth in line to the Throne.

After meeting members of the Corporation of St George's at the Town Hall, Mayor E. Michael Jones led the Duke towards the State House and on the way up the hill the Royal visitor was presented with a white rose as he passed the East End Florist shop.

Helen Pellett, who along with fellow shop worker Coleena Sandmeier greeted the Prince, said: "He was very charming and he was impressed we had got the correct colour of rose ? it had to be white."

A few steps further up the hill the Duke stopped for another breather, casually leaning on the gate post of The Bridge House to speak with Fiona Robertson, who told : "He just said 'Good Morning' and when the Mayor told him this is the oldest continuously inhabited house in the western hemisphere he asked if we'd had any damage during the hurricane and if we had any planning permission problems. He was very personable and charming."

Outside St. Peter's Church were visitors Jan and Peter Williams from Ludlow in England. Mrs. Williams commented: "It's refreshing that he is able to walk about like this and not be afraid for his security."

The Duke's day started with a visit to the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club, where he met groups from Raleigh International Bermuda, Outward Bound, Jubilee Sailing Trust, Sea Cadets and Optimist Sailors.

He inspected a Sea Cadet guard of honour and, having noticed droplets of rainwater on their polished shoes, commiserated with them after the guard's commanding officer Travis Robinson admitted they had been standing on duty during a shower of rain minutes earlier.

Jason Fostine-DeSilva, from Sandys, who recovered from a serious head injury, met the Prince and told him about his experience sailing in a tall ship with the Jubilee Sailing Trust.

It was at his last official public engagement that the Duke met with families who had lost loved ones at sea. Arriving at St. David's Battery in Great Head park, Prince Andrew saw the Island's newest sculpture "Figurehead" by Bill "Mussey" Ming, a towering 16ft bronze cast of a rowing boat that presents the image of a mask to the sea, and is a memorial to all Bermudians lost at sea.

Unveiling a plaque he was introduced to some of the families and spoke with Myrtle Edness, Maureen Eddy and Alex Lymbery, the mother, sister and daughter respectively of fisherman Alan Edness who was lost at sea in January 2003.

Mrs. Edness said: "He was warm and friendly."

Premier Alex Scott gave his own words of comfort to another of the widows Franzine Burgess, whose Police officer daughter Nicole (Simons) O'Connor was a victim of Hurricane Fabian.

Asked about his impression of the Duke, Mr. Scott said: "He was very affable and approachable, and I said to the Governor that the Prince puts a new face on the Royal Family."

The Premier added that whatever the future holds for the relationship between Bermuda and the UK, he could reassure Bermudians there would always be a "meaningful relationship" between the two Island nations in respect of their historical bonds.