Prince William’s visit to a Chinese animal sanctuary has ended in embarrassment after it was revealed elephants were being forced to perform for tourists at the same park.

The visit on the last day of the prince’s tour of China was supposed to highlight his work in animal conservation and fight against the trade of illegal animal products.

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Sky News broadcast the performance of elephants under a mile away in the same sanctuary, in which they were forced to balance on stools for tourists and were kept backstage in shackles.

Others were made to play football.

When asked if he knew the elephant show was taking place nearby, the prince remained silent and continued with his tour of the park.

The 32-year-old later made an impassioned speech about the need to protect wildlife, and said the illegal wildlife trade was everyone’s “common enemy”.

“It is appalling that elephants and many others may be extinct in the wild in our lifetimes, and we seem to be hurtling towards the tragic outcome,” Prince William said.

“The extinction of animals such as elephants, rhinos and pangolins would be an immeasurable loss to the whole of humanity.”

The British royal met with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier in the week, and expressed his hope that China would become a leader in the fight for animal conservation.