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This episode commenced with a solitary photograph, arguably the most impactful ever taken of a royal family member.

In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a young woman, while a companion grinned conspiratorially in the rear.

Absent that photograph, captured at a gathering in 2001, who would have believed the claims of a young woman who declared she was transported across the sea and forced to have cursory sexual encounters with a prince of the monarchy?

An odd, indicative action by someone who had openly asserted to have not known about her, said he could no have had intimate contact with her, and yet handed over millions of monarchical money to avert a protracted lawsuit.

Over a Decade of Disgrace

Against this backdrop, discussions of the monarchy acting decisively to cut Andrew off are inaccurate. This affair has persisted for the largest portion of 15 years since that photograph, and an additional photo of Andrew strolling amiably with a convicted sex offender emerged.

• Self-importance: How long did his siblings, maybe even his relatives, know that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Questionable Associations: They must have realized, if his aides and the law enforcement were doing their jobs, that he had some extremely unsavory friends given he unabashedly hosted them to palaces.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources.

Journeys were listed in public records: private aircraft flights from the palace to a golf course and back again in time for midday meal, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "Airmiles Andy".

World of Deference

Furthermore the presumption which expected subservience when he appeared in a space or the extreme awareness about his honorifics used on his letterheads in messages to his personal acquaintances.

He could get away with it while his parent, who strangely pampered him, was still alive. The sovereign did at least strip him of royal responsibilities and ceremonial ranks in the aftermath of his ill-fated and, it is now clear, mendacious television interview six years ago.

Recent Developments

Just in the last two weeks that events accelerated, following the publication of biographical works giving more grim details of his actions and that of his companions.

Further disclosures have again exposed Andrew's assumption that he could escape lying about his relationship with a notorious figure.

Society (and the journalists) were far more perceptive of the royals. There was not a single person of any importance to defend him, a outcome of all those years of hubris.

Royal Worries

The more intelligent monarchical figures recognized that. The key objective is to transfer the monarchy, if not as heretofore at least intact and unblemished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to undo the legacy of earlier rulers, showing they are valuable, responsible and attentive to their citizens.

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

The Fallout

Finally, the notoriously uncertain king was pressured additional. There was no alternative. The institution had relinquished authority of the account.

Currently the removal of titles and the persistent and lifetime personal shame that will pain Andrew most deeply.

• Reduction: Lowered to just a commoner
• Past Example: The first monarch to surrender his titles in modern times
• Naval Career: Notably painful given his service in the conflict

He continues to be a constitutional officer, on paper able to stand in for the king, and he is still in the lineage to the monarchy, but neither of these will actually come to pass.

What Lies Ahead

Do individuals he meets still acknowledge him? Might they still make mistakes and call him Sir? Will they even say Mr,

Of course, he is not moving to suburbia, but to the sovereign's large estate at Sandringham.

There, he will be provided by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of personal stipend.

This differs from his former home, where he paid a minimal payment for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit far, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed.

Outstanding Concerns

This is not over. There are still files in the custody of overseas authorities to be made public.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Will parliament request additional information
• Fiscal Review: Or investigate the misuse of taxpayer funds
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a criminal probe into his actions

Perhaps for the time being the reputational impact to the institution is limited. The statement from the institution was clearly that the stripping of designations was what the sovereign, and especially other senior monarchical figures, desired.

Altered Approach

No more deception that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, significantly, the brief communication showed clearly that the royals were supporting the accuser's version of events.

Even more, for the first time they eventually showed concern for the survivors: "The measures are judged required, regardless of the truth that he continues to deny the claims against him."

Ultimately it is entitlement, self-seeking and laziness that will undermine the monarchy. In his folly, self-indulgence and venality, Andrew appears never to have grasped that lesson.