“Sandringham,” former Conservative Party MP (and ex-prisoner) Jonathan Aitken remarked drily to LBC radio’s Nick Ferrari, “is not Siberia.” It is, though, an 8000-hectare private estate where a troublesome royal can disappear from public view. Buckingham Palace will be desperately hoping that over time, with Andrew, it’ll be a case of out of sight, out of mind.

Prince Andrew, who will soon lose his title, pictured in 2011 with daughters Princess Eugenie, left, and Princess Beatrice, who will retain theirs. Credit: AP

King Charles will have dug deep into his private fortune to facilitate his younger brother’s eviction from Royal Lodge. He’ll also have to fund his lifestyle. One of the key goals of this current act of defenestration was to ensure no taxpayers’ cash was involved. The King’s aim will be to stop Andrew seeking additional money from his rich acquaintances, assuming they’re still taking his calls.

Those of us who’ve thrived in life as a commoner........

© The Sydney Morning Herald