Because I'm worth it

Perhaps no other royal has been crowned with so many unflattering nicknames by the red-top press. For years, Prince Andrew - also known as "Air Miles Andy", the "Junket of York" and "Prince of Freebies" - has been pilloried for his jetsetting lifestyle.

But now Britain's roving ambassador for business has hit back. Admitting that taxpayers will have to foot a bill of about [pound]500,000 this year to fund his trade missions, the Duke of York declared: "It's cheap at the price."

In an exclusive interview with The Independent on Sunday, he also explained the benefits his "invisible" role brings to the economy.

"If you're doing what I'm doing ... the only way to increase a [foreign] country's awareness of what the UK can provide is to go and visit and maintain that relationship. You can do that over the telephone, and I do. But there's no substitute for getting to know these people face to face. In terms of the return on investment to the UK, I would suggest that [pound]500,000 is cheap at the price."

The Duke, whose many loves include a round or three of golf, has just returned from a five-day working visit to Brazil. He took his clubs with him in case he got the chance to play (he did), and spent his day off relaxing on an island.

Despite PR efforts to counter the perception of him as a golfing fanatic, he reinforces the stereotype by repeatedly using golf analogies to explain his role as part of "Team UK" promoting business overseas. "There is a time and a place for all of the various clubs in the bag, for want of a better description," he explains. "You use the driver every now and again, which is the Queen."

Asked if he gets fed up with his portrayal in the media, he sighs: "Not really. The media portrayal is - I wouldn't go so far as saying fantasy, but the reality is a little different. You have to have a skin which the water drips off. I'm almost delighted to have constructive criticism because it helps us do a better job. But I don't see much constructive criticism in some parts of the media."

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