THE Aboriginal warrior Pemulwuy was a ''pest to the colony'' who led the first war of resistance against British settlers before he was shot, decapitated and his head sent to England. But now the future king of England has made it his personal mission to ensure Pemulwuy's remains come home.

Prince William has taken up a request put to him by Aboriginal elders in Redfern during his recent visit to Sydney to return the missing skull. The prince was deeply moved by the story.

Impressed . . . the prince with an elder during his visit to the Block. Credit:Getty Images

THE ROYAL LETTER



The man known as the ''rainbow warrior'', for the colours he wore, was killed in 1802 after leading a guerilla war against settlers at Toongabbie, Parramatta and the Hawkesbury River for more than a decade.