Prince Harry made a surprise visit to China at the same time King Charles touched down in Canada for a state visit. 

The Duke of Sussex made the trip yesterday for a tourism conference in Shanghai where he advocated for sustainable travel. 

In his first ever visit to the country, Harry spoke to fulfil his role as co-founder of Travalyst, an organisation which promotes environmentally friendly forms of travel. 

His older brother Prince William made a similar diplomatic trip to China ten years ago, marking the first official royal visit in 30 years. 

Meanwhile, Harry’s estranged father Charles visited Canada yesterday with his wife Queen Camilla to attend the State Opening at the Parliament in Ottawa – marking the first time the monarch has done so since his mother Queen Elizabeth in 1977. 

Charles and Camilla were greeted with shouts of ‘welcome home’ as they exited their plane which had travelled from the UK.

Their two-day trip to Canada has been branded ‘momentous’ due to its bold show of solidarity with the country, as clashes with US President Donald Trump over sovereignty continue. 

Prince Harry made a surprise visit to China yesterday where he advocated for sustainable travel

The Duke of Sussex made the trip for a tourism conference in Shanghai yesterday 

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Ottawa Airport during an official visit to Canada in Ottawa, Canada, yesterday

Prior to the trip, Charles was reportedly ‘concerned’ about the growing friction between Canada and the US. 

Meanwhile Harry – during his address to the Envision 2025 Global Partner Conference – told the travel industry it must do more to reach its climate change targets before the end of the decade. 

Discussing the issue at the conference, the Prince said: ‘Climate change isn’t just an environmental challenge – it’s a critical business emergency, costing the global economy $143billion dollars annually.

‘Now is the moment for the industry to reaffirm its commitment to being a force for good.

‘Challenges will undoubtedly rise, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my life, it’s that meaningful change never comes easily.

Harry called on the Asia-Pacific (APAC) travel industry to strengthen its commitment to sustainable tourism and collective climate goals

Speaking in Shanghai at Trip.com Group’s Envision 2025 Global Partner Conference, the Duke delivered the keynote address to industry leaders from across the region

On his 20th visit to Canada, Charles and Camilla met crowds to hear thanks and gratitude from members of the public

‘The true measure of our commitment is how we respond when the path becomes difficult. We must never give up.’ 

On his 20th visit to Canada, Charles met crowds to hear thanks and gratitude from members of the public. 

The monarch, who is head of state for Canada, is also anticipated to meet with Indigenous leaders and veterans during his trip with Camilla, amid ongoing efforts to support reconciliation efforts.

Back in March, Charles held a meeting with then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, after the Commonwealth leader was met with mounting pressure from the US.