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The saga started with a solitary photograph, possibly the most impactful ever captured of a royal family member.

Present was the Baron Killyleagh, arm-in-arm a teenage girl, while another individual grinned knowingly in the background.

Without that snapshot, captured at a gathering in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a teenager who declared she was moved across the sea and obliged to have brief intimate contact with a prince of the royal family?

An odd, telling gesture by someone who had openly stated to have no been aware of her, said he could no have had sex with her, and yet provided millions of his mother's resources to settle a drawn-out legal case.

Years of Controversy

Considering this, discussions of the royals acting swiftly to distance themselves from Andrew are wide of the mark. This affair has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and another photo of Andrew ambling amiably with a disgraced financier emerged.

• Arrogance: For what duration did his siblings, perhaps even his parents, know that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his staff and the authorities were doing their jobs, that he had some extremely unsavory companions given he unabashedly invited them to estates.
• Financial Extravagance: If the household did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with state resources.

Journeys were listed in public records: chopper transfers from the palace to a sporting venue and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of scheduled services, all for the convenience of "the travel enthusiast".

A Life of Privilege

Furthermore the arrogance which expected subservience when he appeared in a room or the supreme consciousness about his royal titles used on his letterheads in communication to his personal acquaintances.

He avoided accountability while his matriarch, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still living. The monarch did at least revoke him of official roles and honorary colonelcies in the aftermath of his ill-fated and, as revealed, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Recent Developments

It was only in the last two weeks that events sped up, following the issuance of books giving more disturbing particulars of his conduct and that of his companions.

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

The public (and the press) were far more perceptive of the royals. There was not a single person of any importance to defend him, a result of all those years of presumption.

Royal Worries

The more astute royals realized that. The one imperative is to hand down the crown, if not as before at least whole and unstained.

For generations the last 190 years trying to overcome the image of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are useful, accountable and responsive to their people.

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

The Fallout

Ultimately, the famously indecisive sovereign was pressured more. There was no alternative. The palace had lost control of the account.

Now it is the loss of designations and the persistent and lifetime social disgrace that will hurt Andrew the most.

• Downgrading: Demoted to just a commoner
• Prior Instance: The primary monarch to forfeit his designations in recent history
• Military Service: Notably painful given his service in the Falklands war

He continues to be a constitutional officer, in principle able to stand in for the sovereign, and he is still in the lineage to the throne, but neither of these will actually occur.

What Lies Ahead

Can persons he meets still acknowledge him? Could they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Might they say Andrew,

Of course, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's extensive grounds at a royal residence.

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

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 sufficiently removed.

Pending Matters

The situation continues. There are still records in the possession of overseas authorities to be made public.

• Parliamentary Interest: Will legislators seek further action
• Fiscal Review: Or examine the misuse of public money
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his conduct

Perhaps for the time being the reputational impact to the institution is restricted. The statement from the institution was plainly that the removal of honorifics was what the monarch, and notably other senior family members, desired.

Changed Stance

An end to pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the short statement showed plainly that the royals were siding with the accuser's version of occurrences.

Additionally, for the premiere occasion they ultimately showed concern for the affected individuals: "These actions are considered essential, despite the reality that he persists in refuting the accusations against him."

Finally it is entitlement, selfishness and laziness that will undermine the crown. In his stupidity, self-gratification and venality, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that reality.