Prince Andrew on a trip to New Zealand. Photo: AFP Photo
Prince Andrew, who turns 50 this week, talks to Andrew Alderson about family, work and the future.
It is just days before his 50th birthday and the Duke of York is taking a trip down memory lane. As a self-confessed "glass half-full rather than glass half-empty man", he reflects on the positive side of his troubled marriage to the former Sarah Ferguson.
Nearly two decades after the couple split, he is grateful for the good sense that they showed in putting their children first. "However uncomfortable and disappointing divorce is, we never, ever lost sight of the fact that we had two wonderful children," said the Duke.
"Bearing in mind the family in which they were being brought up, it was very important they got one or other of their parents all the time and both of us some of the time.
"Sarah and I came to that decision almost before we separated because of a unique set of circumstances. But actually that co-parenting we undertook has given us the foundation on which to build a sound friendship that has lasted as long as it has. So we have always looked after the children together. We have never had a custody battle."
At times the Yorks, who separated in 1992 and divorced four years later, have even lived under the same roof. Their daughter, Princess Eugenie, has described her parents as "the best divorced couple in the world".
At his office at Buckingham Palace, the fourth-in-line to the throne spoke with pride about Beatrice, 21, who is taking a history degree at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Eugenie, 19, who is taking a combined studies degree at Newcastle University.
"My daughters are great. I have been incredibly well blessed by the two of them - they have been fine, upstanding stalwarts," he said.
Prince Andrew has not ruled out a royal role for them in the future - if they want one. "It's very much up to them and the circumstances of the case when it arises. I would prefer them to lead as normal a life as possible for as long as possible before decisions have to be taken," he said.
During his 22 years in the Royal Navy, the Duke fought in the Falklands conflict. He therefore appreciates the desire of Prince William to follow in the footsteps of his brother, Prince Harry, and serve in Afghanistan or another front-line role. However, the Duke appreciates the difficulties of allowing the second-in-line to the throne to see action as he did 28 years ago.
"We are in two completely different sets of circumstances. Whilst I applaud the idea and sentiment and everything else, you have to remember that I was recovering British territory. We are not recovering British territory in the current campaign. It's a subtly different issue.
"The risks are completely different. But if you can manage the risks and be assured of the responsibility of the media [then it can be achieved]. I can quite clearly see why it is frustrating for him [Prince William]. Nothing is impossible. But, being militarily parochial, it might be easier [for Prince William to serve] in the Navy! But I think it's fantastic that both he and Harry are showing such commitment to the Armed Forces while also remembering their royal responsibilities."
The Duke of York is grateful for his own experiences serving as a Sea King helicopter pilot on HMS Invincible during the Falklands conflict. "I definitely went there a boy and came back a man... It makes you grow up very quickly."
The Duke works closely with the Armed Forces and he is Colonel-in-Chief of five regiments. He has travelled to Afghanistan to meet the troops and he has visited injured servicemen at Headley Court rehabilitation centre in Surrey. Does he get a sense that the high death toll - now higher than the Falklands - is taking its toll on morale?
"I got no sense of that," he replied. "It [the attitude] was: there is an important job to be done. I got a much better sense of the fact they were on a path to success. That path to success is going to be quite tricky, rocky, contentious, I am sure.
"The inevitable conclusion of this [the war] is to create a situation where the Afghans are in charge of their own security and political destiny. Whatever that resulting destiny is, it is our responsibility to show that the troops are doing the most outstanding job and need to be given all the support they can in the fulfilment of that ambition."
Since 2001, the Duke of York has been the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Development. In the past four years, his workload has doubled and last year he carried out 429 trade-related engagements overseas, covering 23 countries, and 218 business engagements within the UK.
Yet the tabloid press has never warmed to him and there are relentless headlines about "Airmiles Andy", his fondness for golf and the cost of helicopter flights that he has taken to exotic destinations. Are such headlines wearing?
"They can be," he replied. "But if you are a public figure you have to accept the rough with the smooth. The trouble with that particular tag [Airmiles Andy] is that, personally, I wouldn't choose to do as many of these [foreign visits] but I am doing them because, over the nine years in the job, the number of people who wish to be helped has increased, almost exponentially, through the recognition by businesses of where I can deliver."
The Duke is passionate about his work and the opportunities that it has brought British businesses. "It's not only about increasing the opportunities for British businesses overseas, it is also about [supporting] business generally within the United Kingdom."
The Duke of York does much of his work in the Middle East. Last year his name was linked to the negotiations for the release of the Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi, at a time when senior British politicians made concessions to Libya - resented by the victims' families - in order to boost multi-million-pound trade deals.
The Duke, however, denied being involved in any of the negotiations for Megrahi's release and added: "At no stage did I ever hear anybody suggest that Mr Megrahi should be released in order to promote trade. Never, ever."
The Duke's birthday on Friday will not go unmarked: there will be a reception at Buckingham Palace on February 25 for 200 guests.
He has enjoyed his first half century: "I have nothing to complain about. I had the most wonderful 22 years in the Royal Navy. It was an exciting, interesting time. I had the distinction of serving one's country in a conflict... then I had a tremendously rewarding professional life both as a pilot and the Commanding Officer of a ship. I then went to the Ministry of Defence and it became clear there were other avenues for me to follow... there were greater things for me to do for my country [his role as UK Special Representative]."
His future ambitions are linked to his current role. "I'd like the United Kingdom to be really, really successful in international business. We are a globalised nation and therefore the opportunities are there for us to do this. I am more than happy to help ensure this is achieved."
And, 18 years after separating from his wife and 14 years after divorcing her, would he one day like to remarry?
"Is it that long?" he says with a chuckle, making it abundantly clear that he hasn't the slightest intention of answering the question.
The Sunday Telegraph, London
