Prince William hails start of endangered species summit

The Duke of Cambridge has hailed tomorrow's major international summit on the trafficking of endangered wild animals as the "beginning of the end of this despicable trade".

Speaking at a Natural History Museum reception attended by conservation charities, philanthropists and leading wildlife campaigners Prince William said:

"Tonight we are here with a single, shared purpose - to use our collective influence to put a stop to the illegal killing and trafficking of some of our world's most iconic and endangered species."

During the event William met one of the world's biggest action movie actors Jackie Chan who is in London to launch an anti-poaching video for the organisation WildAid of which he is an ambassador.

Prince William's decision to go hunting in Spain shortly before he makes a speech at a conservation conference is just 'poor PR' and should not distract from the major issues, an expert has told Daybreak.

Will Travers from the Born Free Foundation said hunting and poaching "were not the same thing", with the latter being a "£12bn international illegal wildlife trade".

Prince William will give a speech tonight to mark the imminent start of an international conference that aims to tackle the threat to the world's endangered animals.

William will make an address at a Natural History Museum reception as world figures prepare to discuss ways of saving animals like elephants, rhinos and tigers tomorrow.

Read more: ITV News undercover team exposes Tanzania's ivory trade

His father Prince Charles will give a speech at the London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade being hosted by the Government at Lancaster House on Thursday. William will also attend and it will be hosted by the Prime Minister.

William has joined forces with the Prince of Wales to record a video message calling on the world to act now to save endangered animals.

More: Hong Kong the gateway for illegal ivory entering China

More: William and Harry 'off to hunt wild boar in Spain'

In a father-and-son appeal video with Prince Charles, The Duke of Cambridge tells of how he is "devoted to protecting the resources of the earth" for his own son, and future generations.

Read: Charles: We must treat illegal wildlife trade as a battle

In a joint video appeal with his son William, Prince Charles said that the illegal wildlife trade now poses "a grave threat" to both endangered species and economic and political stability.

Read: Prince Charles & Prince William appeal to end poaching

Prince Charles and Prince William have released a video appeal to end the illegal wildlife trade, in a bid to save endangered species from extinction.

In the video, Prince Charles describes the illegal wildlife trade as a "battle" and attacks an "apparently insatiable demand" for endangered animals.

The pair recorded the video appeal in six different languages.

The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry have reportedly gone hunting in Spain - a day before William and his father, the Prince of Wales, call on the world to combat the illegal wildlife trade.

The royal brothers are set to hunt wild boar and stags on a private estate, according to The Sun.

In a video message due to be broadcast tomorrow, Charles and William will call on people to act now to save endangered animals like rhinos, elephants and tigers.

A royal spokesman told ITV News they would "never" confirm what the princes do in their private time. He added:

"The Duke of Cambridge has for many years been a passionate advocate for endangered wildlife and has campaigned tirelessly to help stop the illegal poaching of rhino horn and elephant tusk. His track record in this area speaks for itself."