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It all began with a isolated photograph, possibly the most significant ever captured of a individual from the royal household.

Present was the Baron Killyleagh, arm-in-arm a young woman, while an associate smiled knowingly in the rear.

Lacking that photograph, captured at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the allegations of a young woman who stated she was transported across the Atlantic and forced to have cursory sexual encounters with a prince of the royal bloodline?

An odd, telling action by someone who had openly asserted to have no been aware of her, asserted he could never have had relations with her, and yet handed over millions of monarchical funds to avert a long-delayed legal case.

Over a Decade of Controversy

In this context, discussions of the monarchy acting firmly to cut Andrew off are misguided. This affair has persisted for the better part of 15 years since that image, and a further photo of Andrew strolling congenially with a disgraced financier surfaced.

• Hubris: For what duration did his family members, possibly even his parents, know that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have known, if his aides and the authorities were doing their jobs, that he had some extremely unsavory associates given he openly invited them to estates.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with public money.

Journeys were printed in royal annual reports: helicopter travel from the estate to a country club and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of commercial flights, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

Existence of Entitlement

Additionally the entitlement which required subservience when he appeared in a space or the supreme obsession about his designations used on his correspondence in communication to his personal acquaintances.

He avoided accountability while his matriarch, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still alive. The Queen did at least strip him of public duties and ceremonial ranks in the wake of his catastrophic and, we now know, untruthful television interview six years ago.

Current Situation

Merely in the last two weeks that events progressed rapidly, following the publication of accounts giving more grim particulars of his conduct and that of his connections.

More information have again highlighted Andrew's belief that he could avoid deceiving about his relationship with a disgraced individual.

People (and the press) were far in advance of the monarchy. There was nobody of any significance to support him, a consequence of all those years of hubris.

Institutional Fears

The wiser monarchical figures recognized that. The one imperative is to pass on the crown, if not as before at least whole and unblemished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of earlier rulers, demonstrating they are beneficial, responsible and attentive to their subjects.

Andrew was putting all that in peril in an era when deference and discretion is no longer enough.

The Fallout

Ultimately, the notoriously hesitant sovereign was prodded further. There was little choice. The palace had surrendered command of the narrative.

Presently the stripping of honorifics and the persistent and life-long personal shame that will hurt Andrew most severely.

• Downgrading: Demoted to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Past Example: The primary monarch to lose his designations in modern times
• Military Service: Particularly painful given his duty in the engagement

He is still a royal advisor, on paper able to act for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the monarchy, but neither of these will ever occur.

What Lies Ahead

Do individuals he comes across still show respect to him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Your Highness? Might they say Andrew,

Naturally, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's large grounds at a monarchical property.

There, he will be supplied by the sovereign with one of the royal residences and given some sort of financial support.

This differs from his former home, where he paid a token lease for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit far, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed.

Outstanding Concerns

The situation continues. There are still records in the hands of overseas authorities to be revealed.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Might legislators request additional information
• Monetary Probe: Or investigate the improper use of public money
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a police investigation into his conduct

Perhaps for the moment the harm to the monarchy to the monarchy is contained. The statement from the palace was clearly that the removal of designations was what the sovereign, and especially other senior family members, sought.

A Shift in Position

No more deception that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, remarkably, the concise communication showed evidently that the royals were aligning with the victim's version of occurrences.

Additionally, for the initial instance they ultimately showed regard for the survivors: "The censures are deemed necessary, regardless of the fact that he continues to deny the accusations against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, self-interest and laziness that will destroy the institution. In his stupidity, personal excess and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that lesson.