But chances are he’ll feel right at home.
From television shows and etiquette lessons to private schools and mock Tudor housing developments, China has been embracing British culture with a passion.
Chinese viewers are captivated in their millions by shows like “Sherlock Holmes” and “Downton Abbey,” with the former’s star, Benedict Cumberbatch, so popular he has his own Chinese nickname — Curly Blessing.
The fascination with Edwardian England depicted in Downton has created a growing demand for butlers, and the country’s elite are donning tweeds and taking up deer stalking.
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What’s more, it’s not clear how much “star power” Prince William has in China, especially without his glamorous wife Kate, who at eight months pregnant won’t make the trip, and his young son George.
An informal survey conducted by the UK’s Telegraph newspaper in Beijing showed that many struggled to recognize the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge — one thought the couple were in the movie “Titanic” — and there are fears his visit will struggle to attract interest among ordinary Chinese.
“The Royal Family are not really a big deal to me,” said Zhang, the Downton Abbey fan.
Serena Dong in Beijing contributed to this report
