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It all began with a single photograph, possibly the most impactful ever captured of a member of the monarchy.

Present was the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a teenage girl, while an associate grinned knowingly in the background.

Absent that image, captured at a gathering in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the allegations of a teenager who declared she was trafficked across the ocean and obliged to have perfunctory intimate contact with a member of the royal bloodline?

A curious, revealing action by someone who had overtly asserted to have not heard of her, said he could no have had intimate contact with her, and yet paid millions of family funds to settle a protracted court action.

Over a Decade of Controversy

In this context, conversations of the monarchy acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are wide of the mark. This scandal has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and another image of Andrew strolling congenially with a notorious individual came to light.

• Self-importance: How long did his siblings, possibly even his relatives, know that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his aides and the law enforcement were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable companions given he publicly invited them to palaces.
• Monetary Excess: If the monarchy did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources.

Journeys were printed in official documents: private aircraft flights from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

World of Deference

Additionally the arrogance which required deference when he walked into a space or the extreme awareness about his designations used on his official documents in communication to his personal acquaintances.

He avoided accountability while his mother, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still living. The sovereign did at least strip him of royal responsibilities and honorary colonelcies in the wake of his catastrophic and, it is now clear, deceptive media appearance six years ago.

Recent Developments

It was only in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the issuance of accounts giving more troubling details of his behavior and that of his companions.

Further disclosures have again exposed Andrew's belief that he could get away with lying about his interaction with a notorious figure.

The public (and the media) were far in advance of the royal family. There was not a single person of any consequence to speak up for him, a consequence of all those years of hubris.

Royal Worries

The more intelligent monarchical figures recognized that. The key objective is to hand down the crown, if not as before at least complete and unblemished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to reverse the reputation of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are valuable, responsible and responsive to their citizens.

His actions endangered all that in peril in an era when submission and discretion is no longer enough.

Consequences

Finally, the notoriously indecisive sovereign was pushed additional. There was no other option. The royal household had surrendered command of the story.

Presently the removal of designations and the persistent and life-long public humiliation that will afflict Andrew the most.

• Demotion: Lowered to just a private citizen
• Historical Precedent: The initial monarch to lose his titles in modern times
• Armed Forces: Notably stinging given his role in the engagement

He remains a counsellor of state, in principle able to substitute for the king, and he is still eighth in line to the monarchy, but neither of these will truly happen.

What Lies Ahead

Can persons he comes across still defer to him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Your Highness? Would they say Mr,

Naturally, he is not withdrawing to a common area, but to the sovereign's extensive property at Sandringham.

In that place, he will be furnished by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of private allowance.

It is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a nominal lease for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit far, but even so it may not be far enough.

Outstanding Concerns

Matters remain unresolved. There are still files in the custody of American legislators to be revealed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Could lawmakers demand more
• Financial Investigation: Or investigate the misuse of taxpayer funds
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior

Possibly for the time being the institutional damage to the crown is limited. The message from the institution was plainly that the removal of titles was what the sovereign, and particularly other senior family members, wanted.

Altered Approach

An end to pretence that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, remarkably, the concise statement showed evidently that the institution were aligning with the complainant's version of incidents.

Furthermore, for the first time they ultimately showed consideration for the affected individuals: "These actions are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he maintains his innocence of the claims against him."

Finally it is arrogance, self-seeking and laziness that will destroy the monarchy. In his foolishness, self-gratification and venality, Andrew seems never to have understood that lesson.