Chris Jackson/Getty Images(LONDON) — Prince William has gone to the people, the Chinese people that is.
The Duke of Cambridge has recorded a speech on the illegal ivory trade that will air on Chinese State TV Channel CCTV1.
The TV appearance, which is expected to reach 100 million people, coincides with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the U.K. President Xi arrives in the U.K. Monday night and will be a guest at Buckingham Palace for the next four days.
Prince William recorded the speech Monday at the Maughan Library at King’s College London in front of an audience of about 80 people. His appearance will be broadcast on Chinese TV several weeks after his speech.
Prince William raised the ivory trade issue with President Xi during his visit to Beijing in March. Nearly 70 percent of the world’s ivory goes to China.
The program will be a series of conversations for the program “Let’s Talk.”
William’s father, Prince Charles, has had a complicated relationship with the Chinese government given his longstanding support for the Dalai Lama and Tibet. Prince Charles will greet President Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan Tuesday at the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade but he will not attend the state banquet with the queen.
On the other hand, Prince William will not only have a private meeting with President Xi, where he’s again expected to raise the issue of banning ivory and other products, but he and his wife, Princess Kate, are also expected to attend the state banquet.
Neither Kensington Palace nor Buckingham Palace have confirmed William and Kate’s attendance at the banquet, but the palace doesn’t generally confirm guests in advance.
Monday’s speech will mark the third time Prince William has spoken on the subject of illegal ivory trade in the past year.
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