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It all began with a isolated photograph, perhaps the most consequential ever captured of a member of the monarchy.

There stood the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a young woman, while an associate grinned suggestively in the background.

Without that image, captured at a party in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a young woman who declared she was trafficked across the ocean and forced to have perfunctory relations with a member of the monarchy?

An odd, revealing move by someone who had openly asserted to have never heard of her, claimed he could not have had relations with her, and yet provided a substantial sum of his mother's money to resolve a drawn-out legal case.

Over a Decade of Controversy

Against this backdrop, conversations of the royal family acting swiftly to distance themselves from Andrew are inaccurate. This affair has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that photograph, and an additional snapshot of Andrew walking amiably with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Hubris: How long did his family members, possibly even his relatives, know that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have understood, if his employees and the law enforcement were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable friends given he openly hosted them to estates.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the monarchy did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his overspending with taxpayer funds.

Travel were documented in official documents: helicopter travel from the estate to a country club and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of commercial flights, all for the convenience of "the travel enthusiast".

A Life of Privilege

Then there was the entitlement which expected respect when he walked into a area or the profound awareness about his honorifics used on his correspondence in messages to his friends.

He could get away with it while his parent, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still surviving. The Queen did at least revoke him of official roles and military positions in the aftermath of his disastrous and, we now know, deceptive television interview six years ago.

Latest Events

Merely in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the publication of books giving more troubling particulars of his actions and that of his connections.

Further disclosures have again exposed Andrew's assumption that he could escape being untruthful about his contact with a convicted criminal.

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

Monarchical Concerns

The more intelligent family members recognized that. The one imperative is to transfer the crown, if not as previously at least whole and unblemished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to overcome the reputation of earlier rulers, demonstrating they are valuable, dutiful and responsive to their subjects.

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

Consequences

Eventually, the notoriously indecisive sovereign was pressured more. There was no alternative. The palace had surrendered command of the story.

Currently the loss of honorifics and the continued and life-long social disgrace that will afflict Andrew most severely.

• Downgrading: Lowered to just a private citizen
• Past Example: The first member to lose his titles in contemporary era
• Naval Career: Notably hurtful given his duty in the conflict

He is still a constitutional officer, in principle able to act for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but not any of these will actually come to pass.

Future Prospects

Will people he comes across still defer to him? Might they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Might they say Sir,

Certainly, he is not retiring to a common area, but to the sovereign's vast estate at Sandringham.

In that place, he will be provided by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some form of personal stipend.

This is not his previous residence, where he paid a nominal rent for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit remote, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Unresolved Issues

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

• Political Pressure: Could legislators request additional information
• Financial Investigation: Or investigate the misuse of taxpayer funds
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior

Perhaps for the present the harm to the monarchy to the institution is contained. The statement from the palace was clearly that the removal of titles was what the monarch, and especially other senior family members, wanted.

A Shift in Position

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

Furthermore, for the first time they eventually showed concern for the affected individuals: "The measures are judged required, despite the reality that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, self-seeking and indolence that will destroy the institution. In his stupidity, self-gratification and venality, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that truth.