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It all began with a single photograph, perhaps the most consequential ever taken of a royal family member.

In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a female youth, while an associate grinned conspiratorially in the backdrop.

Absent that image, taken at a social event in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the assertions of a teenager who stated she was transported across the sea and forced to have cursory relations with a individual of the royal family?

An odd, indicative action by someone who had publicly asserted to have never heard of her, claimed he could no have had sex with her, and yet paid a substantial sum of family resources to avert a long-delayed court action.

A Long Period of Controversy

Against this backdrop, talk of the monarchy acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This scandal has continued for the majority of 15 years since that image, and another photo of Andrew walking amiably with a notorious individual came to light.

• Self-importance: How long did his family members, possibly even his mother and father, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Questionable Associations: They must have understood, if his aides and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable friends given he unabashedly invited them to royal residences.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the monarchy did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his overspending with public money.

Journeys were documented in royal annual reports: chopper transfers from the estate to a golf course and back again in time for lunch, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the convenience of "the frequent flyer".

Existence of Entitlement

Additionally the entitlement which required subservience when he appeared in a room or the extreme obsession about his royal titles used on his correspondence in communication to his associates.

He managed to escape consequences while his mother, who inexplicably pampered him, was still surviving. The sovereign did at least remove him of public duties and honorary colonelcies in the aftermath of his catastrophic and, as revealed, mendacious television interview six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last 14 days that events progressed rapidly, following the publication of books giving more troubling particulars of his actions and that of his connections.

More information have again highlighted Andrew's thinking that he could escape being untruthful about his interaction with a convicted criminal.

The public (and the press) were far ahead of the monarchy. There was no one of any significance to speak up for him, a outcome of all those years of hubris.

Institutional Fears

The more intelligent monarchical figures understood that. The primary concern is to transfer the crown, if not as heretofore at least complete and untarnished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of earlier rulers, demonstrating they are valuable, accountable and responsive to their people.

Andrew was putting all that in danger in an age when submission and secrecy is no longer adequate.

Consequences

Eventually, the well-known indecisive monarch was pushed further. There was no other option. The institution had surrendered command of the account.

Now it is the removal of designations and the persistent and lifetime public humiliation that will pain Andrew most deeply.

• Reduction: Lowered to just a commoner
• Historical Precedent: The initial member to lose his honorifics in modern times
• Naval Career: Notably hurtful given his service in the engagement

He is still a counsellor of state, on paper able to stand in for the king, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but not any of these will ever come to pass.

Future Prospects

Will people he comes across still acknowledge him? Could they still slip up and call him Sir? Will they even say Andrew,

Of course, he is not retiring to suburbia, but to the sovereign's extensive grounds at Sandringham.

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

This is not his previous residence, where he paid a nominal rent for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit remote, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Pending Matters

This is not over. There are still records in the possession of US Congress to be made public.

• Parliamentary Interest: Could lawmakers request additional information
• Monetary Probe: Or examine the misuse of public money
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a criminal probe into his behavior

Possibly for the time being the reputational impact to the crown is limited. The narrative from the institution was plainly that the stripping of titles was what the sovereign, and notably other senior family members, sought.

Altered Approach

The cessation of illusion that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, remarkably, the short communication showed plainly that the monarchy were aligning with the complainant's version of events.

Furthermore, for the initial instance they finally showed consideration for the affected individuals: "These actions are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the reality that he maintains his innocence of the allegations against him."

Ultimately it is presumption, self-interest and indolence that will undermine the crown. In his foolishness, personal excess and corruption, Andrew appears never to have understood that truth.