Advertisement

Prince William causes a stir with awkward blunder on royal visit

Prince William has proved the royals are just like us after he made an awkward blunder during an official visit yesterday.

The 36-year-old Duke of Cambridge was attending the opening of Japan House in London, where he was pictured sitting down to practice his chopstick skills with a group of children from St Cuthbert with St Matthias CE Primary School.

In a rare slip-up, Prince William asked the children if they had eaten “much Chinese food”.

Realising his mistake, he quickly corrected himself saying “sorry I mean Japanese food”.

Prince William made an awkward blunder during a royal visit yesterday. Photo: Getty Images
Prince William made an awkward blunder during a royal visit yesterday. Photo: Getty Images

However, while Prince William might have been embarrassed by the faux pas, one little boy distracted everyone by shouting ‘hello’ from across the table.

When asked by the Prince how he was doing, he replied nonchantly: “I’m tired.”

“Are you tired?”

Chuckling, William replied: “Yes, I’m quite tired, has it been a long day for you too?

“Have you been enjoying your chopsticks?”

The little boy responded: “No… they’re hard,” provoking more laughter from the table.

Prince William was also joined at the event by Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso and UK Ambassador to Japan Koji Tsuruoka as they toured the new centre, which aims to create a greater understanding of the country amongst a UK audience, and to deepen cultural, social and economic bonds between the two nations.

During the visit, the Duke also met Japanese chef Akira Shimizu, who presented him with his signature bento box.

During the visit, the Duke also met Japanese chef Akira Shimizu, who presented him with his signature bento box. Photo: Getty Images
During the visit, the Duke also met Japanese chef Akira Shimizu, who presented him with his signature bento box. Photo: Getty Images
The Duke Of Cambridge was pictured sitting down to practice his chopstick skills with a group of children from St Cuthbert with St Matthias CE Primary School. Photo: Getty Images
The Duke Of Cambridge was pictured sitting down to practice his chopstick skills with a group of children from St Cuthbert with St Matthias CE Primary School. Photo: Getty Images

William thanked him and said: “My wife and I love sushi. We might have to come down here for lunch when no-one else is in.”

After unveiling a plaque to mark the opening, the royal gave a speech.

“This year marks 160 years since we established formal diplomatic relations between our two countries. And standing here now I am delighted to see those relations continue to flourish.”

He added: “As countries, we share many fundamental values – such as respect for democracy and the rule of law – and we continue to cooperate closely to tackle important global issues, such as the illegal wildlife trade – an issue very close to my heart.

“I am delighted that the UK is introducing a domestic ban on ivory, and I welcome Japan’s recent legislative reform to tighten controls around your own domestic ivory market. I hope you might, in time, help other neighbours in Asia to tackle the illegal trade in wildlife products by sharing your experience and expertise.”

One of William’s main priorities is to put an end to the illegal wildlife trade and earlier this week, he attended the Tusk Rhino Trail at Kensington Palace – an art installation which draws attention to the critical threat facing rhino populations across Africa due to a global poaching crisis.

Got a story tip? Send it to tips@yahoo7.com.au

Want more celebrity, entertainment and lifestyle news? Follow Be on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram.