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The saga started with a single photograph, arguably the most consequential ever snapped of a member of the monarchy.

Present was the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a female youth, while another individual beamed knowingly in the background.

Absent that snapshot, taken at a social event in 2001, who would have believed the allegations of a young woman who declared she was trafficked across the ocean and obliged to have cursory relations with a prince of the royal bloodline?

A curious, indicative gesture by someone who had openly claimed to have not heard of her, claimed he could not have had intimate contact with her, and yet paid a large amount of monarchical funds to resolve a drawn-out legal case.

Over a Decade of Controversy

In this context, discussions of the royal family acting swiftly to distance themselves from Andrew are inaccurate. This scandal has continued for the largest portion of 15 years since that photograph, and a further snapshot of Andrew walking pleasantly with a convicted sex offender surfaced.

• Arrogance: For what duration did his brothers and sisters, possibly even his mother and father, know that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Questionable Associations: They must have known, if his employees and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some deeply disreputable associates given he openly hosted them to palaces.
• Financial Extravagance: If the household did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his overspending with taxpayer funds.

Travel were documented in royal annual reports: helicopter transfers from the royal residence to a country club and back again in time for lunch, exclusive air travel instead of regular transport, all for the comfort of "the frequent flyer".

A Life of Privilege

Then there was the presumption which demanded subservience when he entered a room or the profound consciousness about his royal titles used on his official documents in messages to his friends.

He avoided accountability while his parent, who unaccountably indulged him, was still surviving. The monarch did at least revoke him of royal responsibilities and ceremonial ranks in the wake of his ill-fated and, it is now clear, mendacious public statement six years ago.

Latest Events

It was only in the last two weeks that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of biographical works giving more disturbing details of his conduct and that of his companions.

More information have again revealed Andrew's assumption that he could avoid being untruthful about his relationship with a disgraced individual.

People (and the press) were far in advance of the royals. There was no one of any consequence to support him, a outcome of all those years of presumption.

Institutional Fears

The more intelligent monarchical figures realized that. The key objective is to pass on the institution, if not as before at least intact and untarnished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to reverse the image of earlier rulers, demonstrating they are beneficial, accountable and attentive to their citizens.

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

Aftermath

Eventually, the notoriously uncertain monarch was pushed more. There was no other option. The institution had surrendered command of the story.

Currently the removal of honorifics and the persistent and lifetime public humiliation that will afflict Andrew the most.

• Demotion: Lowered to just a commoner
• Past Example: The first member to lose his designations in modern times
• Naval Career: Notably stinging given his service in the engagement

He remains a constitutional officer, theoretically able to act for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but none of these will truly come to pass.

Future Prospects

Can persons he meets still defer to him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Your Highness? Might they say Mr,

Certainly, he is not retiring to a common area, but to the royal family's vast grounds 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 sort of financial support.

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

Unresolved Issues

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

• Political Pressure: Will lawmakers request additional information
• Monetary Probe: Or investigate the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a criminal probe into his conduct

Maybe for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the institution is contained. The message from the institution was evidently that the stripping of designations was what the sovereign, and notably other senior family members, sought.

Changed Stance

An end to pretence that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, remarkably, the short communication showed clearly that the institution were siding with the accuser's account of incidents.

Additionally, for the first time they finally showed concern for the victims: "The censures are deemed necessary, regardless of the fact that he persists in refuting the claims against him."

In the end it is arrogance, selfishness and indolence that will kill the crown. In his stupidity, self-gratification and venality, Andrew seems never to have understood that lesson.