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It all began with a single photograph, arguably the most significant ever snapped of a royal family member.

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

Absent that image, taken at a social event in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a young woman who said she was transported across the ocean and compelled to have cursory relations with a prince of the royal family?

A curious, indicative move by someone who had publicly asserted to have never known about her, claimed he could never have had intimate contact with her, and yet paid a substantial sum of his mother's money to settle a protracted court action.

Over a Decade of Scandal

In this context, conversations of the monarchy acting swiftly to cut Andrew off are inaccurate. This affair has continued for the largest portion of 15 years since that photograph, and a further snapshot of Andrew ambling amiably with a disgraced financier surfaced.

• Self-importance: For what duration 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 police were performing their duties, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he openly invited them to estates.
• Monetary Excess: If the family did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds.

Journeys were documented in official documents: chopper travel from the royal residence to a country club and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of commercial flights, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

A Life of Privilege

Furthermore the arrogance which expected subservience when he appeared in a room or the supreme obsession about his honorifics used on his official documents in messages to his friends.

He avoided accountability while his matriarch, who strangely spoiled him, was still alive. The sovereign did at least revoke him of official roles and ceremonial ranks in the wake of his disastrous and, as revealed, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Recent Developments

It was only in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the issuance of accounts giving more grim information of his behavior and that of his associates.

Additional revelations have again revealed Andrew's thinking that he could get away with deceiving about his interaction with a notorious figure.

People (and the journalists) were far more perceptive of the royal family. There was no one of any consequence to speak up for him, a consequence of all those years of hubris.

Royal Worries

The more astute monarchical figures recognized that. The key objective is to hand down the monarchy, if not as previously at least whole and untarnished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to overcome the reputation of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are beneficial, dutiful and attentive to their people.

He was placing all that in danger in an era when respect and secrecy is no longer enough.

Aftermath

Ultimately, the notoriously uncertain king was pushed further. There was no other option. The institution had surrendered command of the account.

Now it is the stripping of designations and the persistent and lifetime public humiliation that will afflict Andrew most severely.

• Downgrading: Demoted to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Past Example: The initial member to forfeit his honorifics in contemporary era
• Armed Forces: Especially stinging given his service in the engagement

He remains a counsellor of state, on paper able to act for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but none of these will actually come to pass.

Coming Developments

Do individuals he comes across still show respect to him? Might they still slip up and call him Prince? Would they say Mr,

Of course, he is not moving to a common area, but to the sovereign's extensive property at Sandringham.

In that place, he will be furnished by the sovereign with one of the estate properties and given some type of private allowance.

It is not his previous residence, where he paid a token payment for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit remote, but even so it may not be far enough.

Unresolved Issues

This is not over. There are still records in the hands of US Congress to be made public.

• Political Pressure: Could legislators demand more
• Fiscal Review: Or scrutinize the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a criminal probe into his behavior

Perhaps for the present the reputational impact to the institution is restricted. The message from the royal household was clearly that the stripping of honorifics was what the monarch, and notably other senior family members, sought.

A Shift in Position

An end to illusion that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, significantly, the concise announcement showed evidently that the institution were supporting the accuser's account of events.

Additionally, for the initial instance they finally showed consideration for the affected individuals: "These actions are deemed necessary, regardless of the truth that he continues to deny the claims against him."

Ultimately it is entitlement, self-seeking and indolence that will destroy the monarchy. In his foolishness, personal excess and greed, Andrew appears never to have understood that lesson.