WHAT a terrible waste of an opportunity for Prince Andrew at Australia's Melbourne Airport!

The pompous prince refused to go through a security check. Unfortunately, this reveals that in spite of their hail-fellow-well-met approach to meeting members of the international peasantry, some royals may well believe they are directly descended from the gods.

Not only could he have shown the human face of our Royal Family in this particular situation but he could have strengthened the importance of security for all, sending out a strong safety message to all travellers.