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This episode commenced with a isolated photograph, arguably the most significant ever captured of a individual from the royal household.

Present was the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a young woman, while an associate beamed conspiratorially in the background.

Without that snapshot, taken at a party in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a adolescent who declared she was moved across the sea and forced to have cursory intimate contact with a individual of the monarchy?

A curious, telling action by someone who had publicly stated to have no been aware of her, said he could no have had sex with her, and yet handed over millions of monarchical money to settle a long-delayed legal case.

Years of Disgrace

Against this backdrop, talk of the monarchy acting firmly to cut Andrew off are wide of the mark. This controversy has continued for the majority of 15 years since that photograph, and a further snapshot of Andrew strolling congenially with a convicted sex offender emerged.

• Arrogance: For what duration did his brothers and sisters, possibly even his relatives, know that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Questionable Associations: They must have understood, if his aides and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some extremely unsavory friends given he unabashedly hosted them to estates.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the monarchy did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his overspending with public money.

Trips were printed in public records: chopper travel from the royal residence to a country club and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "the travel enthusiast".

A Life of Privilege

Furthermore the arrogance which required respect when he appeared in a room or the profound consciousness about his royal titles used on his correspondence in messages to his associates.

He could get away with it while his mother, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still living. The Queen did at least remove him of official roles and honorary colonelcies in the aftermath of his ill-fated and, we now know, deceptive media appearance six years ago.

Latest Events

Merely in the last two weeks that events progressed rapidly, following the release of accounts giving more troubling details of his behavior and that of his companions.

More information have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could escape lying about his relationship with a disgraced individual.

The public (and the journalists) were far in advance of the monarchy. There was no one of any importance to speak up for him, a consequence of all those years of presumption.

Institutional Fears

The more astute royals realized that. The key objective is to transfer the monarchy, if not as heretofore at least intact and unstained.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to reverse the reputation of earlier rulers, demonstrating they are beneficial, dutiful and attentive to their subjects.

His actions endangered all that in danger in an time when submission and discretion is no longer enough.

Aftermath

Eventually, the famously uncertain king was prodded more. There was no alternative. The royal household had relinquished authority of the story.

Presently the loss of designations and the persistent and permanent public humiliation that will afflict Andrew most severely.

• Demotion: Demoted to just a private citizen
• Prior Instance: The first member to forfeit his honorifics in contemporary era
• Armed Forces: Especially stinging given his duty in the Falklands war

He continues to be a counsellor of state, theoretically able to act for the monarch, and he is still in the succession to the monarchy, but neither of these will actually come to pass.

Coming Developments

Will people he encounters still show respect to him? Could they still slip up and call him Sir? Will they even say Andrew,

Certainly, he is not retiring to an ordinary town, but to the monarchy's vast property at Sandringham.

In that place, he will be provided by the sovereign with one of the royal residences and given some sort of personal stipend.

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

Outstanding Concerns

The situation continues. There are still documents in the custody of American legislators to be made public.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Could parliament demand more
• Financial Investigation: Or investigate the misuse of public money
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his conduct

Maybe for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the monarchy is limited. The message from the institution was plainly that the revocation of designations was what the sovereign, and particularly other senior royals, desired.

Altered Approach

The cessation of illusion that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, remarkably, the brief announcement showed plainly that the institution were aligning with the complainant's narrative of incidents.

Furthermore, for the initial instance they eventually showed consideration for the victims: "The measures are considered essential, notwithstanding the reality that he continues to deny the claims against him."

Finally it is presumption, self-seeking and indolence that will undermine the monarchy. In his folly, personal excess and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have learned that truth.