Prince Andrew Struggling To Steady Nerves Ahead Of Abseil

The Duke of York, fourth in line to the throne, will descend from the 1,016-foot (309-metre) The Shard skyscraper in London next month (Sep12) to raise funds for charity.

But he is having second thoughts about the stunt and needs to conquer his fears before attempting the nerve-wracking challenge.

He tells the London Evening Standard newspaper, "It is the same for me as everyone else. Have you got the guts, the balls, whatever you like to call it, to step over the edge at 1,000ft? And the answer is 'we'll see'."

The royal insists his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, is less concerned, as she is used to seeing her children take part in unusual activities.

He adds, "No, this mother doesn't worry, based on the fact that all her children have done exclusively mad things over a number of years and so she is quite used to it."

The prince will join a group of other daredevils who will descend from the 87th floor to pull in $1.6 million (£1 million) for The Outward Bound Trust and the Royal Marines Charitable Fund Trust.