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It all began with a isolated photograph, arguably the most impactful ever snapped of a individual from the royal household.

Present was the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a young woman, while another individual beamed conspiratorially in the backdrop.

Absent that image, taken at a gathering in 2001, who would have believed the assertions of a teenager who declared she was transported across the sea and compelled to have perfunctory intimate contact with a prince of the royal family?

A strange, indicative action by someone who had publicly stated to have never known about her, asserted he could not have had relations with her, and yet provided millions of family money to avert a long-delayed court action.

Over a Decade of Scandal

In this context, discussions of the royal family acting decisively to sever ties with Andrew are misguided. This controversy has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and an additional image of Andrew strolling pleasantly with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his parents, understand that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Problematic Connections: They must have known, if his employees and the law enforcement were performing their duties, that he had some extremely unsavory associates given he openly hosted them to royal residences.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his overspending with state resources.

Journeys were documented in official documents: chopper travel from the estate to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, chartered planes instead of commercial flights, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

World of Deference

Furthermore the arrogance which expected subservience when he entered a space or the supreme awareness about his designations used on his official documents in communication to his associates.

He could get away with it while his parent, who strangely pampered him, was still surviving. The Queen did at least revoke him of official roles and honorary colonelcies in the aftermath of his catastrophic and, we now know, mendacious public statement six years ago.

Recent Developments

Merely in the last 14 days that events sped up, following the release of biographical works giving more grim information of his actions and that of his associates.

Additional revelations have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could avoid deceiving about his interaction with a convicted criminal.

The public (and the media) were far ahead of the royals. There was nobody of any importance to support him, a result of all those years of hubris.

Institutional Fears

The more astute royals realized that. The key objective is to pass on the monarchy, if not as previously at least complete and unstained.

For generations the last 190 years trying to overcome the image of past sovereigns, proving they are useful, responsible and responsive to their subjects.

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

Aftermath

Ultimately, the famously indecisive sovereign was prodded further. There was no alternative. The palace had lost control of the narrative.

Presently the removal of honorifics and the persistent and lifetime public humiliation that will pain Andrew the most.

• Reduction: Lowered to just a private citizen
• Historical Precedent: The initial member to lose his designations in recent history
• Naval Career: Notably painful given his duty in the conflict

He is still a royal advisor, on paper able to act for the monarch, and he is still in the lineage to the crown, but neither of these will truly happen.

Future Prospects

Will people he comes across still defer to him? Might they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Would they say Mr,

Certainly, he is not moving to a common area, but to the monarchy's large estate at a monarchical property.

There, he will be supplied by the monarch with one of the estate properties and given some sort of personal stipend.

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

Pending Matters

Matters remain unresolved. There are still records in the hands of overseas authorities to be revealed.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Could lawmakers request additional information
• Financial Investigation: Or examine the misuse of state resources
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a police investigation into his behavior

Maybe for the present the harm to the monarchy to the monarchy is contained. The narrative from the palace was plainly that the stripping of titles was what the monarch, and especially other senior family members, sought.

Changed Stance

No more deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, notably, the brief communication showed plainly that the institution were supporting the accuser's account of events.

Furthermore, for the initial instance they finally showed concern for the affected individuals: "These actions are considered essential, notwithstanding the truth that he maintains his innocence of the allegations against him."

Finally it is entitlement, self-seeking and indolence that will destroy the crown. In his stupidity, self-gratification and corruption, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that reality.