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

There stood the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a teenage girl, while another individual beamed suggestively in the backdrop.

Without that photograph, captured at a social event in 2001, few would have credited the allegations of a teenager who declared she was moved across the Atlantic and obliged to have cursory sexual encounters with a individual of the royal bloodline?

A strange, revealing action by someone who had publicly claimed to have never heard of her, asserted he could never have had sex with her, and yet paid a large amount of monarchical money to settle a drawn-out lawsuit.

Years of Scandal

Against this backdrop, conversations of the royal family acting swiftly to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This affair has continued for the majority of 15 years since that photograph, and a further photo of Andrew strolling pleasantly with a notorious individual surfaced.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, possibly even his relatives, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his staff and the authorities were doing their jobs, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he unabashedly welcomed them to royal residences.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds.

Journeys were printed in official documents: chopper travel from the estate to a country club and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of regular transport, all for the convenience of "the travel enthusiast".

A Life of Privilege

Furthermore the entitlement which expected subservience when he appeared in a room or the extreme obsession about his designations used on his official documents in letters to his personal acquaintances.

He managed to escape consequences while his mother, who strangely pampered him, was still living. The Queen did at least strip him of official roles and military positions in the consequence of his disastrous and, we now know, mendacious television interview six years ago.

Recent Developments

It was only in the last 14 days that events accelerated, following the release of accounts giving more troubling information of his conduct and that of his associates.

Additional revelations have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could get away with lying about his interaction with a convicted criminal.

Society (and the journalists) were far in advance of the monarchy. There was no one of any consequence to defend him, a result of all those years of hubris.

Royal Worries

The wiser family members understood that. The primary concern is to hand down the crown, if not as previously at least whole and untarnished.

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

He was placing all that in danger in an age when respect and discretion is no longer sufficient.

Consequences

Eventually, the notoriously hesitant monarch was pushed further. There was little choice. The royal household had surrendered command of the story.

Now it is the stripping of designations and the ongoing and permanent social disgrace that will pain Andrew most severely.

• Downgrading: Reduced to just a commoner
• Past Example: The primary monarch to forfeit his honorifics in contemporary era
• Armed Forces: Particularly painful given his service in the conflict

He continues to be a constitutional officer, on paper able to stand in for the sovereign, and he is still eighth in line to the crown, but none of these will truly occur.

What Lies Ahead

Can persons he meets still show respect to him? Could they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Would they say Mr,

Certainly, he is not moving to a common area, but to the monarchy's vast grounds at a royal residence.

At that location, he will be furnished by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some sort of personal stipend.

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

Unresolved Issues

This is not over. There are still files in the possession of American legislators to be revealed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Might parliament demand more
• Monetary Probe: Or investigate the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a criminal probe into his behavior

Possibly for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the monarchy is limited. The message from the royal household was clearly that the revocation of designations was what the sovereign, and notably other senior monarchical figures, sought.

Changed Stance

No more illusion that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the brief communication showed plainly that the royals were supporting the victim's version of events.

Furthermore, for the first time they ultimately showed regard for the victims: "The measures are deemed necessary, regardless of the truth that he continues to deny the claims against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, self-seeking and laziness that will undermine the institution. In his folly, personal excess and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have learned that lesson.