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It all began with a isolated photograph, arguably the most impactful ever captured of a royal family member.

In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a young woman, while a companion grinned conspiratorially in the backdrop.

Without that image, captured at a party in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a young woman who declared she was trafficked across the Atlantic and forced to have cursory relations with a member of the royal bloodline?

A curious, telling gesture by someone who had overtly stated to have no known about her, said he could not have had relations with her, and yet paid a substantial sum of his mother's money to resolve a drawn-out lawsuit.

Over a Decade of Controversy

Against this backdrop, conversations of the monarchy acting firmly to distance themselves from Andrew are wide of the mark. This scandal has persisted for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and another image of Andrew strolling amiably with a convicted sex offender surfaced.

• Self-importance: For what duration did his siblings, maybe even his parents, realize that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Questionable Associations: They must have realized, if his aides and the police were performing their duties, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he publicly hosted them to palaces.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources.

Journeys were documented in public records: chopper transfers from the palace to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the convenience of "the travel enthusiast".

A Life of Privilege

Then there was the presumption which required deference when he walked into a space or the supreme awareness about his honorifics used on his official documents in messages to his associates.

He could get away with it while his mother, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still surviving. The Queen did at least revoke him of public duties and military positions in the aftermath of his ill-fated and, it is now clear, mendacious public statement six years ago.

Latest Events

Merely in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the publication of biographical works giving more disturbing information of his conduct and that of his connections.

More information have again highlighted Andrew's thinking that he could avoid deceiving about his contact with a convicted criminal.

The public (and the media) were far more perceptive of the monarchy. There was no one of any significance to support him, a result of all those years of arrogance.

Royal Worries

The more astute royals realized that. The key objective is to hand down the institution, if not as heretofore at least whole and unblemished.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to overcome the reputation of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are useful, dutiful and reactive to their citizens.

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

Aftermath

Finally, the well-known indecisive king was prodded further. There was no other option. The institution had relinquished authority of the account.

Presently the loss of designations and the continued and permanent social disgrace that will afflict Andrew the most.

• Demotion: Demoted to just a private citizen
• Historical Precedent: The initial monarch to lose his designations in contemporary era
• Naval Career: Particularly stinging given his service in the engagement

He continues to be a constitutional officer, theoretically able to act for the monarch, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but neither of these will actually occur.

Coming Developments

Will people he meets still defer to him? Will they still forget themselves and call him Your Highness? Would they say Sir,

Certainly, he is not retiring to a common area, but to the royal family's large 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 personal stipend.

It is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a token rent for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit remote, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Unresolved Issues

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

• Parliamentary Interest: Will lawmakers seek further action
• Financial Investigation: Or scrutinize the improper use of public money
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior

Perhaps for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the monarchy is contained. The narrative from the royal household was evidently that the stripping of titles was what the king, and especially other senior family members, desired.

Changed Stance

No more deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, notably, the concise communication showed evidently that the institution were siding with the accuser's account of occurrences.

Additionally, for the first time they ultimately showed consideration for the victims: "These actions are considered essential, notwithstanding the fact that he maintains his innocence of the claims against him."

Finally it is presumption, self-interest and indolence that will undermine the crown. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and venality, Andrew gives the impression never to have learned that truth.