'I've known the Royal Family for years - I was never comfortable around Andrew'

A former royal editor has shared his true thoughts about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, having known the former Prince for years. During his time as a reporter, Charlie Rae interacted with various members of the Royal Family on numerous occasions across several years. Joking that Charlie was a royal reporter for "far too long", Julia explained just how close with the Royal Family he was, noting that the late Queen Elizabeth II and the now-King Charles would say hello to him.

She also said that Prince William and Princess Kate are familiar with him, adding: "They've chatted with you. You know these people." But she was curious to know what Andrew was really like in real life, as he "always had a reputation". She cited his former nickname 'Randy Andy', and while he was once hailed a "war hero", claimed he was known for being arrogant and rude to people.

Charlie, who started covering the Royal Family in 1988, said: "I met him several times and interviewed him a couple of times. He was the patron of the NSPCC and I interviewed him then. He was always an arrogant man.

"When I've met other members of the Royal Family, after you go through the formalities, it's always been a happy conversation. You can have a laugh and a giggle with them. There was nothing like that with Andrew."

Charlie claimed the former Duke of York made a point of emphasising his royal rank and was notably more difficult and less approachable than others in the Royal Family.

He continued: "He made it clear, 'I am a prince of the realm and you are well below my standing. Let's not forget that.' He was always very difficult.

"There's two types of royals. There's the Andrew ones who want to make it clear that they've got a royal position and you should remember who they are and there's the others."

"You remember there's respect and everything else but they do come across as actually having some sort of humanity. I like people who enjoy life and people who have a giggle and a laugh with you and talk to you properly."

When Julia admitted she doesn't like being talked down to, Charlie clarified: "He didn't actually talk down to me, but I wasn't exactly comfortable in his company because I knew he was arrogant."

It comes following Andrew's arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Andrew was arrested on the morning of his 66th birthday (February 19), but has now been released from police custody.

In a statement, Thames Valley Police said "a man in his sixties" has been released under investigation. It is understood that neither the King nor Buckingham Palace was informed before Andrew's arrest.