PRINCE Harry was mistaken if he thought his recent stunt visit to China would overshadow the King’s trip to Canada, a royal expert has said.
The Duke of Sussex made a shock solo appearance in the east Asian nation on the same day King Charles and Queen Camilla touched down in Canada for a crucial state visit.
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Harry was attending a global travel and tourism conference in Shanghai while the King ceremonially opened a session of the Canadian Parliament – being the first monarch to do so since 1957.
However, a royal expert has claimed that if Harry attempted to overshadow the King’s visit to Canada, he failed.
Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive Show, News.com.au’s royal correspondent Bronte Coy said Charles’ “impactful” speech was miles above what Harry could have achieved in his time in China.
In response to a question of whether Harry could be “trying to steal the limelight”, she said his stage appearance “didn’t really make the cut”.
Harry’s visit to China saw him speak on the importance of sustainable travel on behalf of Travalyst, an organisation he co-founded, which promotes environmentally friendly tourism.
During his address to the Envision 2025 Global Partner Conference today, Harry told the travel industry it needed to do more to hit its climate change targets before 2030.
To limit global warming to 1.5°C, greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 at the latest and decline 43% by the end of the decade.
He added that the Asia-Pacific region is “strongly positioned to do this”.
While the Duke of Sussex was in Shanghai, the King and Queen were landing in Ottawa to open a session of parliament in the Canadian capital.
Charles also gave an impassioned speech during his visit, warning Canada to remain “strong and free” amidst threats from US President Donald Trump to turn the nation into the 51st US state.
Commenting on the speech, Bronte added: “It was a very supportive speech.
“And I think that, as I say, even though it was such a quick trip, it had such a major impact.
“[Whereas] Harry’s didn’t really make the cut.”
The King, who also serves as the head of state for Canada, backed the nation’s independence when he became the first monarch to open a session of parliament since his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, 68 years ago.
Charles was given a standing ovation from attendees after declaring during his speech to parliament that “The True North is indeed strong and free”.
The King and Queen Camilla waved to cheering crowds as they took a State Landau open-top carriage through Ottawa, before they arrived at the Senate.
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They received the Royal Salute from a 100-person guard of honour from the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, and a 21-gun salute.
Many Canadians have seen the King’s 24-hour whistle-stop trip to Ottawa as a symbol of support for the nation as they battle with President Trump — despite Charles inviting the US leader for a second state visit earlier this year following his return to the White House.
In his address, the King said: “It is with a sense of deep pride and pleasure that my wife and I join you here today as we witness Canadians coming together in a renewed sense of national pride.
“Today, Canada faces another critical moment.
“Democracy, pluralism, rule of law, self-determination and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the government is determined to protect.”
And in a possible nod to the ongoing tariff row with Mr Trump, he said: “The system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing. Canada’s relationships with partners are also changing.”
He went on to look to offer reassurance to Canadians over the changing world and their prospects for the future ahead of them.
He said: “Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away.
“And by staying true to Canadian values, Canada can build new alliances and a new economy that serves all Canadians.”
In the address, which outlined the plans of Mr Carney’s government, he described how Canada’s PM and Mr Trump had begun a new relationship built on “mutual respect and founded on common interests”.
