Prince William donned a samurai costume and met with tsunami survivors as well as the Emperor while undertaking a royal tour of Japan.
After Prince William, 32, had undertaken a brief four-day tour of Japan where he threw himself into the local culture, donning samurai costumes, undertaking traditional tea ceremonies and touring tsunami-devastated areas, he headed over to China.
During his four-day tour of China, William meet with the nation’s president, Xi Jinping. The president was fond of the young prince, advising the Royal Family had contributed “positively” to co-operation between China and the UK.
The Prince got the chance to meet with locals from Beijing, while also showing off his painting skills at the British Ambassador’s official residence.
The Duke of Cambridge particularly enjoyed his visit to the Forbidden City, and was photographed grinning during the visit.
During the Prince’s Japan visit, he dressed up as notorious historical Samurai warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, while visiting the set of Taiga – a long-running Japanese television drama. He was visiting NHK Public Broadcasting Studios, where he was also treated to traditional dances from performers in Geisha outfits and he met with the station’s mascot – an oversized cartoon character named Domo-Kun.
William turned down the opportunity to don a traditional Samurai wig featuring a large bald spot though as he said his cheeky brother Prince Harry “would never let him forget it!” Unsurprising, given that both the brothers already have their own struggles with hair loss!
Prince William also undertook some more serious visits as part of his tour though, visiting the Royal Palace in Tokyo to meet with the Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. He also visited a war memorial Cemetery in Yokohama and visited areas devastated by the 2011 tsunami in the Miyagi district.
The Prince also got to have a ride in the cockpit of one of the country’s famous bullet trains, played with children at the “Smile Kid’s Park” alongside Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and worn a traditional ‘yukata’ robe while joining the Prime Minister for dinner at a traditional at a traditional Japanese Ryoka, or guest house in Fukushima.
Duchess Catherine, who is now just weeks away from delivering the royal baby, did not join the Prince on this particular occasion. Instead the pregnant Duchess stated home with little Prince George, with her final royal appearance scheduled for next week – 11th March, closer to home in the British countryside near London.
Click through the gallery to see what the Prince got up to on his Japanese adventures!
Prince William loved his visit to China’s Forbidden City. The usually bustling tourist spot was cleared for the royal visit.
Prince William met with China’s President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Prince William meets the locals in Beijing. He even got the chance to show off his limited grasp of the language, greeting locals with ‘Ni Hao’.
William showed off his painting skills at the British Ambassador’s official residence, where he painted ‘Shaun the Sheep’ (he focused on mastering the eye)!
While touring Japan, Prince William dressed up as notorious historical Samurai warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi and was treated to traditional dance performance.
The prince was visiting the set of Taiga – a long-running Japanese television drama. He declined the opportunity to don a traditional Samurai wig featuring a large bald spot though as he said his cheeky brother Prince Harry “would never let him forget it!”
The TV set was part of his tour of NHK Public Broadcasting Studios, where he also met with the station’s mascot – an oversized cartoon character named Domo-Kun – and got a mini stuffed version to take home to Prince George!
The Prince also got into the spirit of things while meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Fukushima, wearing a traditional ‘yukata’ robe.
Prince William ate a traditional dinner with the Prime Minister at an authentic Japanese Ryoka, or guest house.
The Prince visited the royal Palace in Tokyo to meet with the Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko
The Prince laughed along with Japanese children as a cartoon image of him appeared on a screen after he scanned in one of their drawings, during his visit to the British-designed bookshop Tsutaya.
Clearly good with kids, Prince William gave them another laugh at Smile Kid’s Park, showing off his juggling skills as he visited along with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Japanese royal lovers gather to greet the Prince, brandishing gifts – and even dressing their pets in British-themed costumes just for the occasion!
William got to have a ride in the cockpit of one of Japan’s famous bullet trains.
Prince William was greeted by Lion Dancers performing in an Shishimai Ceremony in Onagawa, Japan/
Walking over over a traditional Japanese bridge in on a tour of Hama Rikyu Gardens with Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe.
The Prince even got to meet with a real life Sumo wrestling champion – Sumo grand champion Harumafuji shook hands with Prince William at a reception at Togo Palace.
Prince William tours areas devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Ishinomaki, Miyagi.
