William - Forbidden City is 'phenomenal'
PRINCE William has spoken of being 'overawed' by his visit to Beijing's forbidden city.
Prince William said he was 'overawed' by the Forbidden City in Beijing
The Duke of Cambridge toured the Chinese capital's former imperial palace, which was used by Emperors of China for almost 500 years, on his first full day of his tour of the country.
As he posed for photographs in front of the imposing Hall of Supreme Harmony, he was asked how his Chinese was coming along, he laughed and replied: "Very slowly."
The Duke of Cambridge and Chinese President Xi Jinping
I have to say I was overawed by the size, the scale and the sheer detail of much of the architecture there, it was phenomenal.
When the Duke later held talks with China's deputy president Li Yuanchao, he made William laugh when he asked for his impressions of China.
William replied: "It's very early days yet, but I have been for a walk around the Forbidden City.
"I have to say I was overawed by the size, the scale and the sheer detail of much of the architecture there, it was phenomenal."
Prince William visits the Forbidden City on first China trip
The Prince painted the eyes on a model of Shaun the Sheep
During his visit the Duke was shown giant bronze urns once used to burn pine-scented incense that filled the courtyard below the palaces with clouds of smoke, giving the impression the Emperor was living in heaven, and the response from William was: "It must have smelled fantastic."
The Duke of Cambridge will go to Shanghai later today
Earlier in the day, the Prince took part in a ceremony to mark the start of a cultural collaboration between the UK and China by painting the eyes on a model of Aardman Animations character Shaun the Sheep.
2015's the year of the sheep, so Shaun The Sheep is the mascot for the Year of Cultural Exchange
William joked with the photographers when they asked him to pose with the character, decorated with a Union-flag colour scheme, and he quipped: "You know I can't do two things at once."
Looking at his handiwork he added: 'It's not particularly stylish but it will pass."
Prince William and Culture Secretary Sajid Javid painted the eyes on models of Shaun The Sheep
The task was similar to dotting the eyes on the model lions used in traditional lion dances - an act thought to bring good fortune and happiness.
2015 is the Chinese year of the sheep so the British Council used the character as a mascot for the UK as part of the Year of Cultural Exchange between the UK and China, a showcase of innovation for British goods and services.
Prince William, a Chinese artist, and models of Shaun the Sheep
The Forbidden City was built between 1406 and 1420, the Chinese imperial palace was home to 24 emperors, 14 of the Ming dynasty and 10 of the Qing dynasty.
The last Emperor, Puyi, abdicated in 1912 but was allowed to remain in the Inner Court until a coup in 1924.
It is now a museum housing some 1.8 million items and attracts more than 15 million visitors a year.
It contains 980 buildings, including 90 palaces and courtyards, 8,704 rooms and is the largest collection of preserved wooden structures in the world, covering 150,000 square metres.
William is due to visit Shanghai today, and then he will travel to Yunnan province.
His wife is not with him because she she is due to give birth to the couple's second child next month.