It started as a conversation about how to photograph China 's famous golden monkeys , and ended with Prince William pledging to dress up as a tree . During his wildlife conservation visit to China , the Duke of Cambridge visited a photographer to learn about how he managed to capture such close up pictures of wildlife . And when photography enthusiast Xi Zhinong told the Prince he often dressed up as a tree so he could get close to the animals , the second in line to the throne pledged to do the same . Prince William has pledged to dress up as a tree on his next visit to China so that he can go out with photographer and conservationist Xi Zhinong to photograph rare Yunnan Golden Haired monkeys . The Prince said when he next returned to Yunnan Xishuangbanna he would join Xi on a photography exhibition and also don the same disguise to photograph the endangered Golden Haired Monkeys of Yunnan , according to People 's Daily Online . It was pledged during the Prince 's tour of the Far East , which he used to foster UK business links as well as raise awareness of the dangers of the illegal trade in wildlife . Golden haired monkeys of Yunnan are native to the forests of China and are highly endangered - with less than 2,000 estimated to be living in the wild . While able to withstand plunging temperatures and even snow , the species is in danger because their habitats are slowly disappearing and their distinctive appearance has made them a key target for illegal hunters . Yunnan golden haired monkeys are native to China but they are believed to be less than 2,000 in the wild . They are also something of a mystery because they were first discovered by scientists in the 1890s , then lost and thought to be extinct until 1962 . The monkeys are herbivores and give birth every two or three years . China has launched a conservation programme to try and protect the species . Xi Zhinong is a Chinese wildlife photographer as well as an environmentalist . Between 1992 and 1996 Xi went to Baimaxue Mountain National Nature Reserve to raise awareness of the Golden Haired Monkey . He also hoped that by sharing photos of the monkeys and how they lived he could protect the natural habitat of the animals , in a strip of primeval forest . Prince William spoke to photographer Xi about his work and learned how he disguises himself to take pictures . After being discovered in the 1890s the Yunnan Golden Haired monkey did not appear again until 1962 . During his visit , Xi presented Prince William with two photography collections , 'Wild China ' and 'The Spirit of Life ' . Prince William was in China last week for a wildlife conservation visit . His visit was the highest profile Royal visit since the Queen toured the country in 1986 , and gave the Prince the chance to meet wildlife experts and conservationists . He used the tour to condemn the trade in illegal wildlife and products , such as ivory , and called upon China to become a world leader . Golden haired monkeys are in danger because their habitats , mainly forests , are slowly disappearing . Prince William was intrigued by the golden haired monkeys and asked how close-up pictures were possible . Golden haired monkeys are native to China and mainly spend their time in the forest canopy . During his time in the country Prince William visited Beijing and featured on a television campaign organised by WildAid and aimed at raising awareness of the impact of the trade in rhino horn and ivory . The tour ended however with a PR disaster when the Prince was allowed to visit an Elephant rescue centre , just a few yards from an arena where elephants play football , dance and do tricks for tourists . Prince William 's visit was also seen as an opportunity to create links between the two countries , and he met President Xi Jinping . The end of Prince William 's tour was branded somewhat a PR disaster after he visited an elephant sanctuary yards from where the animals perform tricks for audiences in a type of circus , condemned by campaigners .
Xi Zhinong visited photographer Prince William as part of conservation trip . He asked the wildlife enthusiast how he managed to take wildlife pictures . Xi disguises himself as tree to photograph Yunnan Golden Haired monkeys . The Prince pledged to do the same when he returns to the Chinese region . There are less than 2,000 Yunnan Golden Haired monkeys living in the wild .