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It all began with a single photograph, arguably the most impactful ever snapped of a member of the monarchy.

There stood the Baron Killyleagh, arm-in-arm a young woman, while another individual grinned knowingly in the backdrop.

Lacking that image, taken at a party in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a teenager who said she was trafficked across the ocean and compelled to have cursory relations with a prince of the royal bloodline?

An odd, revealing move by someone who had overtly claimed to have never been aware of her, asserted he could never have had relations with her, and yet paid a substantial sum of family funds to resolve a drawn-out lawsuit.

Years of Disgrace

In this context, discussions of the royal family acting decisively to distance themselves from Andrew are misguided. This scandal has continued for the majority of 15 years since that picture, and an additional snapshot of Andrew walking pleasantly with a convicted sex offender surfaced.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his siblings, maybe even his relatives, realize that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his employees and the law enforcement were performing their duties, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he publicly invited them to palaces.
• Monetary Excess: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with public money.

Journeys were listed in royal annual reports: helicopter transfers from the estate to a country club and back again in time for midday meal, private flights instead of regular transport, all for the benefit of "the travel enthusiast".

Existence of Entitlement

Then there was the presumption which required subservience when he appeared in a room or the profound awareness about his royal titles used on his letterheads in messages to his friends.

He avoided accountability while his parent, who unaccountably pampered him, was still surviving. The monarch did at least strip him of official roles and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his disastrous and, as revealed, mendacious television interview six years ago.

Recent Developments

It was only in the last fortnight that events progressed rapidly, following the release of accounts giving more grim information of his conduct and that of his associates.

Further disclosures have again exposed Andrew's belief that he could get away with lying about his relationship with a convicted criminal.

People (and the press) were far in advance of the royal family. There was nobody of any importance to support him, a result of all those years of presumption.

Institutional Fears

The more intelligent family members realized that. The key objective is to transfer the crown, if not as before at least complete and unblemished.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of past sovereigns, showing they are beneficial, dutiful and reactive to their subjects.

He was placing all that in danger in an time when respect and privacy is no longer sufficient.

The Fallout

Eventually, the well-known uncertain sovereign was prodded more. There was no alternative. The palace had lost control of the story.

Now it is the stripping of designations and the continued and permanent public humiliation that will afflict Andrew the most.

• Demotion: Lowered to just a private citizen
• Historical Precedent: The primary royal to lose his designations in contemporary era
• Military Service: Particularly stinging given his service in the conflict

He remains a constitutional officer, on paper able to act for the monarch, and he is still in the lineage to the throne, but neither of these will ever occur.

Coming Developments

Do individuals he meets still show respect to him? Will they still slip up and call him Prince? Will they even say Sir,

Certainly, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's vast estate at a monarchical property.

In that place, he will be supplied by the monarch with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of personal stipend.

This differs from his prior accommodation, where he paid a minimal rent for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit distant, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed.

Outstanding Concerns

This is not over. There are still records in the possession of US Congress to be revealed.

• Political Pressure: Might parliament seek further action
• Financial Investigation: Or scrutinize the misuse of state resources
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his actions

Possibly for the moment the institutional damage to the institution is contained. The statement from the institution was plainly that the stripping of titles was what the sovereign, and particularly other senior family members, wanted.

Altered Approach

No more deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, notably, the brief communication showed evidently that the royals were siding with the complainant's version of occurrences.

Even more, for the initial instance they eventually showed concern for the survivors: "These actions are judged required, regardless of the truth that he continues to deny the claims against him."

Finally it is presumption, selfishness and inactivity that will destroy the institution. In his folly, self-indulgence and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that truth.