Tony Jones dishes on his awkward encounter with Prince Albert of Monaco

Nine News Melbourne newsreader Tony Jones has dished on his rather awkward encounter with royalty in the latest episode of 9News Unmasked.

TJ recounted the time when he was covering Melbourne's bid for the Olympics in Puerto Rico in 1989, where he brazenly approached Prince Albert of Monaco at a conference.

Despite being just a young budding reporter in his 20s at the time, TJ was fearless and did not hold back in introducing himself to the royal.

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Unfortunately for him, the prince and his posse were not too thrilled about the greeting.

"I was actually in this thing where the conference was being held at the salad bar, and he walked in with about five security guards," TJ told co-panellists Peter Hitchener and Jo Hall.

"I've walked up and said, 'excuse me prince - Tony Jones, Channel 9, Melbourne, Australia'.

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Rather than backing away in terror, TJ fired back with:

"He's not my prince mate, it's fine with me," he said.

What happened next?

Watch 9News Unmasked Episode 13 above to find out and hear about other encounters Melbourne's newsreaders have experienced with royalty.