``He needs to get down here and see where it came from,'' said Julie Dowling, a recognised urban Aboriginal artist.
``He needs to figure out where that image came from, he needs to follow it back,'' she added, saying the lizard symbol had totemic significance in at least seven Aboriginal regions and many clans.

``What he has to realise is that when he does that, he's ripping off another family. His grandmother is the head of his church, he should show respect for other people's religions,'' Dowling said.

Buckingham Palace responded that the paintings do not ``purport to be an aboriginal piece of work. We haven't received any formal complaints and it's never been the intention of the prince to cause any offence.''  Anne Loxley, a Sydney-based curator specialising in Aboriginal art, told the Guardian she expected a test case about indigenous intellectual property in the near future.

``With the law going the way it is, even Prince Harry could spark something off,'' she said. ``At best his work is quaint but misinformed, at worst it's really quite regrettable. Considering how well-known Aboriginal art is, and the presence it has on the modern art scene, you'd hope that one of the world's most prestigious schools would have better informed art teachers,'' she said. Harry has shown little intellectual prowess, passing his A-level exams this summer with little distinction, but his abilities with paint brush have been applauded. He follows in the footsteps of his father, Prince Charles, who is an accomplished watercolourist.

"She's just had record sales and she is the most successful artist of her age in the history of mainstream art in Australia," Ms Ryan said.

In a letter sent via the Queensland Governor's secretary, the community invited the prince to spend time in the town and experience its culture and art.

"Lockhart River Aboriginal community in Queensland has a number of Aboriginal artists who are recognised worldwide for their skills," it said.pe"The community wishes to extend an invitation to Prince Harry to stay at their community and gain exposure to recognise Aboriginal artists and their work."

Lockhart River, on the eastern side of Cape York, is about 800 kilometres north of Cairns and is completely isolated during the wet season. The Lockhart River art gang grew out of a high school program to teach young people art, music and horticultural skills. In 1997, a cultural centre was opened to help the artists such as Namok, Fiona Omeenyo and Silas Hobson market their work. The eight artists - all under 30 - are grabbing national and international attention with a tour to the United States planned for later this year.