According to Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, life in the royal family isn't that different from anyone else's family – even as he reflects on his mother's 60th anniversary on the throne.

In an exclusive interview at Buckingham Palace in the midst of the Diamond Jubilee festivities, the Queen's third child talked to CTV News Chief Anchor and Senior Editor Lisa LaFlamme about the relative normalcy of royal life.

"It is just a matter of what you are used to," said the 52-year-old prince. "Life here can be made special, and it is being made special at the moment. But quite a lot of the time it's exactly the same as any other office or any other office building."

Appearing relaxed and jovial, the prince detailed Royal Family life, recalling the "great fun" he had growing up.

Andrew said his mother and father made time for him every evening growing up, helping to foster a sense of closeness that remains in the family to this day.

"We still have family time, even though we are quite diversified in our different activities and different things that we each do. When we get together we are still as close a family as you could possibly imagine," he said.

The prince also described the special role the Queen plays in the royal family, calling her the "most incredible mother" who has unique relationships with all her children and grandchildren.

The prince also said the Queen has a "really good sense of humour" that has left its mark on other members of the Royal Family. "If you see any humour coming out of any member of the Royal Family, remember where it derives from," he said.

The prince also described the emotional support his mother gave to him throughout his life.

Calling her a "very good sounding board," the prince told LaFlamme that the Queen has always been available to lend an ear to all her children, as well as impart advice and guidance.

"She and my father have always been incredible sounding boards -- there's nothing you can't go to them with," he said. "They've always got sensible advice."

One of the most important lessons the Queen and Prince Philip taught him was to develop his own interests and pursue them -- something that led him to seek a career in the Royal Navy.

He tries to pass those same lessons on to his daughters, Princesses Beatrice, 23, and Eugenie, 22.

"I very much encourage them to be what I would describe as 21st century women," he said.

The prince said no matter what line of work his daughters choose -- be it business, art or charity -- they will always be supported and encouraged by him and their mother, Sarah, Duchess of York (née Ferguson).

When asked about his continued friendship with ex-wife Ferguson, the prince said he was surprised by the public's fascination with their decision to live in the same house, despite divorcing in 1996.

"What's the fuss?" he asked.

The prince said he considers the duchess to be one of his best friends, and said the two continue to live together in order to maintain a sense of routine for their daughters.

Canadian connection

Andrew talked about his time spent in Canada attending Lakefield College School in Lakefield, Ont., in 1977.

The prince spent six months on exchange at the private boarding school when he was 17 years old.

The time spent at Lakefield helped the prince develop a "foundation" for many of the interests he later pursued, he said.

Andrew told LaFlamme that he still keeps in contact with some of his schoolmates and his headmaster, and has even participated in two canoe trips with the group.

In fact the friendship between the prince and his old headmaster is so special, that the headmaster participated in Sunday's Jubilee royal pageant, paddling a canoe from the Canadian canoe museum down the Thames.

"I look at Canada like a second home," said the prince.

The Jubilee

Andrew talked with excitement about the Diamond Jubilee festivities, which for him are an opportunity to celebrate the sense of community shared among the Commonwealth countries.

"It's about people coming together as a community and having fun together. It's a universal activity, but it has extended to the Commonwealth," he said.

And at the centre of the festivities is the celebration of the Queen and her life of service, said Andrew.

"She's an incredibly astute, wise woman and I think we're all jolly lucky," he said.

"This is the second Diamond Jubilee in British history and there's no sign that this is anywhere near closure."

With a report from CTV News Chief Anchor and Senior Editor Lisa LaFlamme