The beginning of the end for the British Monarchy?

That picture of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor – formerly known as Prince – being driven away from Aylsham Police Station in Norfolk following his arrest earlier that day on what we then found out was his birthday was both haunting and comical.

Slumped in the back seat of what I’m imagining was his close protection teams’ vehicle, he looked – for want of a better expression – a right state.

It’s always been a bit of a joke in our family – we’re known for our dark humour in times of adversity – that if, heaven forbid, anything happens to any of us, at least find a decent photo for the media to use on the news bulletins and in the papers!

But, in all seriousness now, this latest scandal to envelop the Royal Family is probably the worst and could have catastrophic consequences.

Because it’s causing even people like me who would have considered themselves, well not exactly flag-waving Royalists – I wouldn’t camp overnight on The Mall for a Royal wedding, for example, but would watch it on the television from the comfort of my own sofa – to question their future.

Are they worthy representatives of this country on the world stage, and value for money?

But then I have to remind myself of the good ones – like Anne, Princess Royal – who turn up to open leisure centres in the rain, and never complain or explain, and ask why she is languishing at number 18 in the list of those in line to the throne, just because she was born female before the rules changed about accession?

Yes, absolutely remove Andrew, let him lose his place at number eight in this list, but why can’t we promote Anne? Is that even a possibility, I think the public would agree?

Then again, without the Royals, what’s the alternative – countries without a monarch sometimes have elected presidents, which on paper might seem like a more equitable solution.

Then the realisation of the possibility of a President Blair or a President Farage brings some clarity back…