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It all began with a single photograph, perhaps the most impactful ever snapped of a individual from the royal household.

Present was the Baron Killyleagh, arm-in-arm a teenage girl, while another individual grinned knowingly in the backdrop.

Lacking that photograph, taken at a social event in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a young woman who said she was transported across the ocean and forced to have cursory relations with a individual of the royal family?

An odd, telling action by someone who had openly asserted to have never known about her, said he could never have had relations with her, and yet provided millions of monarchical money to resolve a drawn-out court action.

A Long Period of Scandal

Against this backdrop, conversations of the monarchy acting swiftly to sever ties with Andrew are misguided. This scandal has continued for the majority of 15 years since that picture, and an additional snapshot of Andrew walking amiably with a convicted sex offender emerged.

• Self-importance: How long did his brothers and sisters, maybe even his relatives, know that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have realized, if his aides and the police were performing their duties, that he had some highly questionable friends given he unabashedly hosted them to palaces.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the household did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with state resources.

Trips were printed in official documents: chopper travel from the royal residence to a country club and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of commercial flights, all for the comfort of "the frequent flyer".

World of Deference

Additionally the entitlement which required subservience when he entered a space or the supreme consciousness about his designations used on his letterheads in communication to his friends.

He avoided accountability while his matriarch, who unaccountably pampered him, was still living. The Queen did at least revoke him of public duties and ceremonial ranks in the wake of his disastrous and, it is now clear, deceptive television interview six years ago.

Latest Events

It was only in the last two weeks that events accelerated, following the release of books giving more troubling particulars of his actions and that of his companions.

More information have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could escape lying about his contact with a disgraced individual.

The public (and the journalists) were far more perceptive of the royals. There was no one of any significance to speak up for him, a consequence of all those years of hubris.

Royal Worries

The wiser royals understood that. The key objective is to pass on the crown, if not as previously at least complete and untarnished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to undo the image of earlier rulers, showing they are valuable, accountable and reactive to their citizens.

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

Consequences

Ultimately, the notoriously hesitant king was prodded more. There was little choice. The royal household had relinquished authority of the story.

Now it is the loss of designations and the persistent and life-long personal shame that will hurt Andrew most deeply.

• Demotion: Lowered to just a private citizen
• Prior Instance: The first member to forfeit his titles in recent history
• Military Service: Particularly hurtful given his duty in the conflict

He continues to be a counsellor of state, on paper able to act for the sovereign, and he is still eighth in line to the crown, but neither of these will ever come to pass.

Future Prospects

Can persons he meets still acknowledge him? Will they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Will they even say Mr,

Of course, he is not moving to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's vast property at a royal residence.

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

This is not his previous residence, where he paid a minimal payment for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit remote, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed.

Outstanding Concerns

Matters remain unresolved. There are still files in the hands of American legislators to be made public.

• Political Pressure: Might legislators demand more
• Monetary Probe: Or scrutinize the misuse of taxpayer funds
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a police investigation into his conduct

Possibly for the time being the institutional damage to the crown is restricted. The statement from the palace was plainly that the stripping of titles was what the monarch, and notably other senior family members, desired.

Altered Approach

The cessation of deception that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, notably, the short statement showed clearly that the institution were aligning with the complainant's narrative of occurrences.

Additionally, for the initial instance they eventually showed consideration for the affected individuals: "The measures are deemed necessary, despite the truth that he persists in refuting the accusations against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, selfishness and indolence that will kill the monarchy. In his stupidity, personal excess and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that truth.