Photograph: John Stillwell/PA Wire.
As Tony Blair does his best to seem as though he is still firmly in charge - appearing at PMQs as normal today before heading off to Germany for his final G8 summit - the removal men heading to Downing Street bring home the true state of his premiership.
A large grey lorry drew up to the rear of the prime minister's official residence today to begin packing up the Blair family's possessions.
A spokesman for Stephen Morris Shipping confirmed that the company was helping the Blairs move house, but would not say how long the move was due to take, while a Downing Street spokesman told the Press Association bluntly: "There is a removal van at the back of Downing Street. It is for the prime minister."
There are still three weeks to go before Gordon Brown takes over as PM, and it remains unclear where Mr Blair and his family will go on the night of June 27 when he officially stands down as prime minister.
The £3.5m house in Connaught Square, central London, that the Blairs bought in 2004, is still being refurbished.
Given Mr Blair's love for foreign travel and persistent rumours that he is set to hit the US lecture circuit, the removal company's slogan - "Moving with care across the world for over 30 years" - seems uncannily apt - although whether anti-war protesters would agree that Mr Blair had "moved with care" is another matter.
