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This episode commenced with a solitary photograph, possibly the most consequential ever snapped of a member of the monarchy.

Present was the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a teenage girl, while an associate grinned suggestively in the backdrop.

Absent that snapshot, taken at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the assertions of a adolescent who stated she was transported across the ocean and obliged to have brief relations with a member of the royal family?

A curious, telling move by someone who had openly asserted to have no been aware of her, asserted he could never have had relations with her, and yet provided millions of family resources to settle a long-delayed court action.

Years of Disgrace

In this context, discussions of the monarchy acting swiftly to sever ties with Andrew are wide of the mark. This scandal has continued for the majority of 15 years since that picture, and an additional photo of Andrew ambling amiably with a disgraced financier came to light.

• Self-importance: How long did his siblings, perhaps even his mother and father, realize that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his aides and the law enforcement were doing their jobs, that he had some deeply disreputable associates given he publicly invited them to palaces.
• Financial Extravagance: If the monarchy did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds.

Trips were printed in royal annual reports: private aircraft flights 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

Furthermore the presumption which expected respect when he appeared in a area or the profound consciousness about his honorifics used on his official documents in communication to his associates.

He could get away with it while his mother, who unaccountably indulged him, was still surviving. The Queen did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the consequence of his ill-fated and, we now know, deceptive public statement six years ago.

Recent Developments

It was only in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the release of accounts giving more grim information of his behavior and that of his companions.

Additional revelations have again highlighted Andrew's assumption that he could escape lying about his relationship with a disgraced individual.

People (and the journalists) were far more perceptive of the royal family. There was no one of any importance to speak up for him, a result of all those years of presumption.

Monarchical Concerns

The more intelligent royals understood that. The key objective is to hand down the crown, if not as heretofore at least whole and unstained.

For generations the last 190 years trying to overcome the legacy of earlier rulers, demonstrating they are useful, responsible and responsive to their citizens.

Andrew was putting all that in jeopardy in an time when submission and secrecy is no longer adequate.

The Fallout

Ultimately, the well-known hesitant monarch was pushed further. There was no alternative. The palace had surrendered command of the account.

Presently the removal of titles and the continued and life-long social disgrace that will pain Andrew most severely.

• Reduction: Lowered to just a commoner
• Historical Precedent: The primary member to surrender his designations in modern times
• Naval Career: Especially stinging given his duty in the conflict

He remains a royal advisor, on paper able to stand in for the king, and he is still in the succession to the monarchy, but neither of these will actually happen.

What Lies Ahead

Can persons he meets still defer to him? Will they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Might they say Andrew,

Of course, he is not withdrawing to a common area, but to the monarchy's vast property at Sandringham.

There, he will be supplied by the monarch with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of private allowance.

It is not his former home, where he paid a minimal lease for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit far, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Outstanding Concerns

Matters remain unresolved. There are still files in the custody of overseas authorities to be disclosed.

• Political Pressure: Will legislators request additional information
• Fiscal Review: Or examine the improper use of public money
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a police investigation into his actions

Maybe for the time being the reputational impact to the crown is contained. The message from the royal household was evidently that the removal of honorifics was what the sovereign, and notably other senior royals, wanted.

Changed Stance

An end to pretence that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, significantly, the short statement showed plainly that the institution were aligning with the complainant's version of incidents.

Additionally, for the first time they finally showed consideration for the victims: "The measures are judged required, notwithstanding the fact that he maintains his innocence of the allegations against him."

Ultimately it is presumption, selfishness and inactivity that will undermine the crown. In his folly, personal excess and venality, Andrew seems never to have grasped that reality.