Andrew abseils down the Shard

The Duke of York overcame his "sense of trepidation" to abseil down the tallest building in Europe for charity today.

Andrew descended the Shard skyscraper in London, beginning his daredevil stunt from the 87th floor - just below the top of the 1,016ft tower - and finishing half an hour later on level 20.

The 52-year-old royal was one of around 40 people to lower themselves to raise money for educational charity the Outward Bound Trust and the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.

Making it safely down after abseiling a total of 785 feet, Andrew said: "I'm not even going to say that was a piece of cake or not. I will never do it again.

"I have to say, the most difficult bit was walking up the stairs."

Donors have given more than £290,000 to sponsor Andrew, who is the Outward Bound Trust's chairman of trustees.

As a former Royal Navy helicopter pilot who served in the Falklands War, he said the Marines were especially close to his heart.

Describing how he got ready for the challenge, he said: "You have a moment to realise what you are doing and where you are going to go.

"The difficult bit was actually stepping out over the edge so the training I had done over the summer with the Royal Marines in Arbroath gave me the confidence to step out over the edge without too much trepidation."