Prince William & Kate Middleton 2015 China Tour, Royal Couple Mending Diplomatic Ties [PHOTOS]
In an effort to repair diplomatic ties, Prince William and Kate Middleton are planning to visit China in 2015. After their successful tour in New Zealand and Australia, the royal couple is considering of renewing its ties to the Asian nation after Prince Charles' comments were made in public in 2006.
The feud between the two countries started when Prince Charles called the Chinese officials "appalling old waxworks." He also made a comment "ridiculous rigmarole" about meeting the former Chinese President Jiang Zemin that strained the relationship between China and UK.
"Next year's tours for the Duke and Duchess are currently being considered, discussed and assigned. They will be announced in due course," according to Kensington Palace spokesperson in an interview with The Sunday Times.
In an effort to make peace, Prince Charles launched his charity The Prince's Charities Foundation (China) in 2009, but it didn't make any difference. The upcoming international tour will also help to mend the ties with the Dalai Lama thanks to PM David Cameroon who was accused of "interfering with China's internal affairs" during the holy man's exile in May 2012.
But before embarking to another overseas tour, Prince William will have to finish his five-month job training for the East Anglian Air Ambulance. The Duke will start with a civilian pilot course training followed by 999-response training to become certified air ambulance pilot.
Will is the first member of the royal family to be employed by a civilian employer (Bond Air Services). Based on reports, the second-heir to the throne is to donate his full salary to the charity.
Before taking the trip to China next year, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are scheduled to visit Oxford University to open their China Centre on Sept. 8. The new facility will allow students and researches to pursue China-related studies.
The duo is scheduled to take part in a Chinese ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of The Dickson Poon University of Oxford China Centre Building. Named after the Hong Kong philanthropist Mr. Dickson Poon CBE, the £21million facility is complete with 63 en-suite student bedrooms and 100-seat lecture theatre.