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

In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a young woman, while a companion beamed knowingly in the backdrop.

Lacking that image, taken at a social event in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a teenager who said she was transported across the Atlantic and obliged to have cursory sexual encounters with a member of the monarchy?

An odd, revealing move by someone who had overtly claimed to have no heard of her, asserted he could never have had relations with her, and yet paid a large amount of monarchical resources to settle a protracted court action.

Years of Controversy

Considering this, talk of the royals acting decisively to distance themselves from Andrew are wide of the mark. This scandal has persisted for the majority of 15 years since that image, and an additional photo of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his family members, perhaps even his relatives, know that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have understood, if his aides and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some extremely unsavory associates given he publicly invited them to estates.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the household did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources.

Trips were listed in official documents: chopper flights from the palace to a sporting venue and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of commercial flights, all for the comfort of "the travel enthusiast".

A Life of Privilege

Furthermore the entitlement which required deference when he appeared in a room or the profound awareness about his royal titles used on his correspondence in communication to his friends.

He avoided accountability while his parent, who inexplicably spoiled him, was still alive. The sovereign did at least revoke him of official roles and military positions in the aftermath of his catastrophic and, it is now clear, untruthful television interview six years ago.

Recent Developments

It was only in the last two weeks that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of books giving more troubling details of his conduct and that of his connections.

Further disclosures have again highlighted Andrew's belief that he could get away with being untruthful about his contact with a notorious figure.

The public (and the press) were far in advance of the monarchy. There was no one of any significance to support him, a result of all those years of hubris.

Institutional Fears

The wiser family members recognized that. The primary concern is to hand down the monarchy, if not as before at least intact and unblemished.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of past sovereigns, proving they are valuable, responsible and reactive to their subjects.

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

The Fallout

Finally, the well-known uncertain monarch was pushed more. There was little choice. The palace had surrendered command of the account.

Currently the loss of titles and the continued and permanent public humiliation that will pain Andrew most deeply.

• Downgrading: Lowered to just a private citizen
• Historical Precedent: The primary royal to forfeit his designations in modern times
• Armed Forces: Notably stinging given his duty in the engagement

He is still a constitutional officer, on paper able to act for the king, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but neither of these will ever occur.

What Lies Ahead

Do individuals he meets still defer to him? Could they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Will they even say Mr,

Naturally, he is not retiring to a common area, but to the sovereign's large grounds at Sandringham.

There, he will be provided by the king with one of the royal residences and given some form of financial support.

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

Unresolved Issues

The situation continues. There are still records in the hands of US Congress to be disclosed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Will legislators seek further action
• Monetary Probe: Or scrutinize the improper use of public money
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a criminal probe into his behavior

Possibly for the present the harm to the monarchy to the institution is limited. The statement from the royal household was plainly that the removal of designations was what the monarch, and notably other senior royals, desired.

Changed Stance

An end to pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, notably, the brief statement showed plainly that the royals were supporting the victim's account of occurrences.

Additionally, for the first time they ultimately showed consideration for the affected individuals: "The censures are judged required, regardless of the fact that he maintains his innocence of the accusations against him."

Finally it is entitlement, self-seeking and inactivity that will destroy the monarchy. In his foolishness, self-gratification and venality, Andrew gives the impression never to have learned that truth.