Just a cursory glance at the headlines, and it’s clear the disgrace and downfall of Prince Andrew is not over.
So what next for the man and the monarchy?
The King might have hoped his involvement showed direct action had been taken.
He certainly does not want any distraction from his upcoming state visit to the Vatican.
But that might be wishful thinking.
Now the Met Police has been dragged in too. Forced to look into reports in the Mail on Sunday that Andrew asked his protection officer to smear his accuser, Virginia Giuffre.
The Prince allegedly wanted his officer to dig up dirt, and told an aide at the palace what he had done.
Let’s be clear: back then, Andrew’s security was funded by the taxpayer.
So are we reaching the endgame, and what does that look like?
Andrew might have given up the use of his title, Duke of York, and other honours too.
But what about his style ‘Prince’? Some want that ditched too.
It’s a complicated but not impossible process. Andrew could, of course, just stop using it voluntarily.
Some want him to give up his home, too. For a non-working royal, the stately Royal Lodge, with its plum position on the Windsor Estate, is an uncomfortable optic.
Andrew’s wider family is worried. The Sunday Times has reported that the Prince of Wales wants him cut off completely.
With the reputation of the monarchy at risk, William does not want to appear weak. He’s putting loyalty to “the firm” firmly above his familial relationships.
Prince Andrew has always strongly denied the allegations, and restated on Friday: “I vigorously deny the accusations against me”. Sky News has approached him for comment on the fresh allegations set out in the Mail on Sunday today.
But with Virginia Giuffre’s tragic death and posthumous memoir due out on Tuesday 21 October, Buckingham Palace will be braced for more scandal.
When Andrew gave up his titles, there was certainly a sense of relief.
There is now a sense of dread over what else could emerge.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source news.sky.com ’
