Royal Watch News

Prince Harry to visit China?

Sep 10, 2012, 12:01 GMT

Prince Harry

Britain's Prince Harry is expected to go on a royal tour to China.

The flame-haired royal has reportedly been asked by the Foreign Office to visit the country next year following a four-month deployment to Afghanistan - which started last week - in an attempt to improve relations between Britain and the People's Republic.

A royal aide said: 'There is nothing fixed in Prince Harry's diary for next year beyond his post-operational leave, but there are a number of foreign tours, including China, that have been mooted by the Foreign Office.'

Harry's visit to China - which would be his first to the Asian country - is also expected to include events that will reflect his own interests such as taking in the work of Prince Charles' foundation, of which a department was set up in Beijing in 2009.

The royal aide added to the Sunday Telegraph newspaper: 'A bit like with Prince Harry going to Brazil, senior members of the royal family see their role as supporting British interests overseas. Next year, first and foremost, he will remain with the Army Air Corps, so anything else he does will be factored around that.'

Harry will return from Afghanistan in January and he is then expected to take one month of leave before returning to royal duties.

Earlier this year, the 27-year-old royal went on a 10-day tour of Brazil and the Caribbean as part of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

While in Jamaica, Harry - who is an international ambassador - met Olympic gold medal-winning sprinter Usain Bolt and while in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he played volleyball and even found time to poke fun at his brother, Prince William.

He said: 'Everything about Rio makes you want to dance. I'm just so thankful that my brother isn't here because he might actually do it - and that would not be cool.'

As well as Harry's expected visit to China, the Foreign Office is thought to have held talks with St James's Palace about the possibility of visits to India and Russia.