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This episode commenced with a single photograph, perhaps the most significant ever captured of a member of the monarchy.

There stood the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a young woman, while an associate beamed conspiratorially in the backdrop.

Without that snapshot, captured at a gathering in 2001, few would have credited the allegations of a young woman who declared she was moved across the Atlantic and compelled to have cursory intimate contact with a member of the royal bloodline?

An odd, revealing move by someone who had publicly asserted to have never known about her, claimed he could not have had relations with her, and yet paid millions of his mother's resources to resolve a drawn-out lawsuit.

Years of Controversy

Considering this, discussions of the monarchy acting firmly to distance themselves from Andrew are misguided. This affair has continued for the better part of 15 years since that picture, and a further image of Andrew ambling amiably with a notorious individual emerged.

• Hubris: How long did his siblings, possibly even his mother and father, realize that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Questionable Associations: They must have known, if his aides and the law enforcement were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable associates given he unabashedly welcomed them to palaces.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the household did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources.

Trips were printed in royal annual reports: chopper flights from the estate to a country club and back again in time for lunch, chartered planes instead of regular transport, all for the benefit of "the travel enthusiast".

World of Deference

Additionally the arrogance which required deference when he appeared in a area or the profound consciousness about his royal titles used on his correspondence in communication to his associates.

He could get away with it while his mother, who inexplicably spoiled him, was still living. The Queen did at least strip him of public duties and military positions in the aftermath of his disastrous and, we now know, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Recent Developments

Merely in the last fortnight that events sped up, following the release of books giving more troubling particulars of his behavior and that of his associates.

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

Society (and the press) were far more perceptive of the royal family. There was not a single person of any importance to support him, a outcome of all those years of presumption.

Monarchical Concerns

The more astute monarchical figures realized that. The one imperative is to transfer the institution, if not as before at least complete and unstained.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of earlier rulers, proving they are useful, accountable and attentive to their citizens.

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

Aftermath

Ultimately, the notoriously indecisive king was prodded further. There was no alternative. The institution had surrendered command of the story.

Currently the loss of titles and the continued and permanent personal shame that will hurt Andrew most severely.

• Demotion: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Past Example: The first royal to forfeit his titles in contemporary era
• Naval Career: Especially stinging given his duty in the Falklands war

He remains a counsellor of state, on paper able to substitute for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the monarchy, but none of these will ever come to pass.

Coming Developments

Do individuals he encounters still show respect to him? Could they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Would they say Andrew,

Of course, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's extensive grounds at a royal residence.

There, he will be furnished by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some form of financial support.

This differs from his former home, 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 far enough.

Pending Matters

The situation continues. There are still files in the custody of overseas authorities to be disclosed.

• Political Pressure: Could lawmakers seek further action
• Monetary Probe: Or examine the misuse of state resources
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his actions

Maybe for the time being the reputational impact to the crown is limited. The statement from the institution was clearly that the revocation of honorifics was what the monarch, and especially other senior monarchical figures, sought.

Changed Stance

The cessation of illusion that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, significantly, the short statement showed clearly that the royals were siding with the accuser's narrative of incidents.

Furthermore, for the first time they finally showed concern for the affected individuals: "The censures are deemed necessary, regardless of the truth that he persists in refuting the accusations against him."

Ultimately it is entitlement, self-seeking and laziness that will destroy the crown. In his stupidity, personal excess and corruption, Andrew seems never to have learned that lesson.