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The saga started with a single photograph, perhaps the most significant ever taken of a royal family member.

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

Absent that snapshot, captured at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a teenager who stated she was transported across the Atlantic and compelled to have cursory intimate contact with a individual of the royal bloodline?

A curious, indicative action by someone who had openly stated to have no been aware of her, claimed he could never have had sex with her, and yet provided millions of family funds to avert a protracted court action.

Years of Disgrace

Considering this, talk of the monarchy acting decisively to distance themselves from Andrew are misguided. This affair has continued for the better part of 15 years since that image, and an additional photo of Andrew strolling amiably with a notorious individual emerged.

• Hubris: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, possibly even his parents, know that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have understood, if his aides and the authorities were performing their duties, that he had some deeply disreputable associates given he openly welcomed them to palaces.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with public money.

Trips were listed in official documents: chopper transfers from the palace to a golf course and back again in time for lunch, private flights instead of regular transport, all for the benefit of "the travel enthusiast".

Existence of Entitlement

Furthermore the entitlement which expected deference when he walked into a space or the extreme awareness about his honorifics used on his letterheads in communication to his friends.

He could get away with it while his matriarch, who inexplicably indulged him, was still living. The monarch did at least strip him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the wake of his ill-fated and, it is now clear, untruthful media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last 14 days that events accelerated, following the issuance of biographical works giving more troubling information of his actions and that of his companions.

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

People (and the media) were far more perceptive of the royals. There was nobody of any importance to support him, a consequence of all those years of hubris.

Royal Worries

The more intelligent royals recognized that. The one imperative is to pass on the institution, if not as heretofore at least complete and unblemished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to reverse the reputation of previous monarchs, demonstrating they are valuable, dutiful and reactive to their subjects.

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

Consequences

Ultimately, the notoriously hesitant monarch was pressured more. There was no alternative. The royal household had relinquished authority of the account.

Presently the stripping of designations and the ongoing and life-long personal shame that will pain Andrew most severely.

• Reduction: Reduced to just a private citizen
• Prior Instance: The first monarch to lose his honorifics in contemporary era
• Military Service: Notably stinging given his role in the engagement

He is still a constitutional officer, in principle able to substitute for the king, and he is still in the succession to the monarchy, but neither of these will actually happen.

What Lies Ahead

Will people he comes across still show respect to him? Will they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Would they say Sir,

Naturally, he is not withdrawing to suburbia, but to the monarchy's extensive grounds at a monarchical property.

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

This is not his former home, where he paid a token rent for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit remote, but even so it may not be far enough.

Outstanding Concerns

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

• Parliamentary Interest: Will legislators seek further action
• Fiscal Review: Or examine the misuse of taxpayer funds
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his conduct

Possibly for the moment the institutional damage to the crown is restricted. The narrative from the royal household was evidently that the removal of designations was what the monarch, and notably other senior monarchical figures, desired.

Changed Stance

An end to deception that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, significantly, the brief announcement showed plainly that the monarchy were aligning with the complainant's version of incidents.

Additionally, for the first time they eventually showed consideration for the affected individuals: "These actions are deemed necessary, regardless of the fact that he persists in refuting the accusations against him."

In the end it is presumption, self-seeking and inactivity that will undermine the institution. In his stupidity, personal excess and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that lesson.