Republicans plan warm welcome for William

It is hardly the talk of revolutionaries.

Republicans have told Australians it is OK to show affection for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their 10-day tour of the nation, starting Wednesday.

Prince William, his wife Catherine and baby son George touch down in Sydney on Wednesday with their first official function at the Opera House on that afternoon.

With enormous goodwill for the second in line to the throne and his photogenic family, republicans are hardly going to be storming the barricades this month.

Instead, the Australian Republican Movement (ARM) has put out a short video message on YouTube labelled "A warm republican welcome for Prince Will".

"We can of course have affection for Britain and its celebrity royals, but affection does not mean allegiance," ARM national director David Morris said.

"The royals represent Britain but cannot represent us or unite us as Australians.

"Australians believe in freedom and equal opportunity, not that some are born to rule over others."

Support for an Australian republic has been on the wane in recent years with the younger members rejuvenating the royal family's status.

Mr Morris believed the widespread lampooning of Prime Minister Tony Abbott's decision to reintroduce knights and dames had demonstrated that Australia had moved on from its colonial past.

"We look forward to the day when the British people and their royal family will warmly welcome a visit by the first Australian head of state," Mr Morris said.