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The saga started with a solitary photograph, possibly the most impactful ever taken of a member of the monarchy.

There stood the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a female youth, while another individual beamed conspiratorially in the background.

Lacking that photograph, shot at a party in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a adolescent who said she was moved across the sea and obliged to have cursory intimate contact with a prince of the monarchy?

A strange, indicative gesture by someone who had overtly asserted to have never been aware of her, asserted he could not have had relations with her, and yet handed over millions of monarchical resources to resolve a protracted legal case.

Over a Decade of Disgrace

Against this backdrop, discussions of the royals acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are wide of the mark. This scandal has continued for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and another image of Andrew strolling congenially with a disgraced financier came to light.

• Self-importance: For what duration did his brothers and sisters, possibly even his mother and father, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Problematic Connections: They must have known, if his staff and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable friends given he unabashedly welcomed them to palaces.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the monarchy did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Journeys were printed in official documents: private aircraft flights from the royal residence to a golf course and back again in time for midday meal, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the convenience of "Airmiles Andy".

World of Deference

Then there was the entitlement which required deference when he appeared in a area or the profound awareness about his designations used on his correspondence in communication to his associates.

He avoided accountability while his mother, who inexplicably pampered him, was still living. The sovereign did at least revoke him of public duties and military positions in the aftermath of his disastrous and, as revealed, mendacious television interview six years ago.

Latest Events

Merely in the last two weeks that events accelerated, following the issuance of biographical works giving more troubling details of his behavior and that of his connections.

Further disclosures have again highlighted Andrew's assumption that he could escape lying about his interaction with a convicted criminal.

The public (and the press) were far in advance of the royal family. There was nobody of any consequence to defend him, a result of all those years of arrogance.

Monarchical Concerns

The more intelligent royals understood that. The key objective is to pass on the monarchy, if not as before at least whole and unblemished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of earlier rulers, demonstrating they are valuable, dutiful and attentive to their subjects.

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

Consequences

Finally, the famously hesitant sovereign was prodded additional. There was no alternative. The palace had relinquished authority of the story.

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

• Downgrading: Lowered to just a commoner
• Past Example: The first monarch to lose his titles in contemporary era
• Military Service: Particularly hurtful given his role in the Falklands war

He remains a counsellor of state, on paper able to act for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the crown, but not any of these will truly happen.

What Lies Ahead

Will people he encounters still show respect to him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Would they say Mr,

Of course, he is not retiring to suburbia, but to the monarchy's vast property at Sandringham.

At that location, he will be furnished by the monarch with one of the estate properties and given some sort of financial support.

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

Outstanding Concerns

This is not over. There are still documents in the possession of American legislators to be disclosed.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Might lawmakers seek further action
• Fiscal Review: Or investigate the waste of public money
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior

Perhaps for the present the institutional damage to the crown is contained. The narrative from the palace was evidently that the revocation of designations was what the monarch, and notably other senior royals, wanted.

Altered Approach

No more pretence that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, notably, the brief announcement showed clearly that the monarchy were supporting the victim's narrative of occurrences.

Additionally, for the premiere occasion they ultimately showed concern for the survivors: "The measures are considered essential, despite the fact that he persists in refuting the allegations against him."

In the end it is entitlement, self-interest and indolence that will destroy the monarchy. In his foolishness, personal excess and venality, Andrew gives the impression never to have learned that reality.