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This episode commenced with a solitary photograph, possibly the most impactful ever taken of a member of the monarchy.

In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, arm-in-arm a teenage girl, while an associate beamed knowingly in the background.

Without that photograph, captured at a party in 2001, who would have believed the assertions of a teenager who stated she was transported across the ocean and obliged to have cursory sexual encounters with a prince of the royal bloodline?

A curious, revealing action by someone who had publicly asserted to have no known about her, said he could no have had relations with her, and yet paid millions of monarchical money to resolve a protracted lawsuit.

Over a Decade of Scandal

Considering this, conversations of the monarchy acting decisively to distance themselves from Andrew are misguided. This controversy has continued for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and an additional image of Andrew walking pleasantly with a disgraced financier emerged.

• Hubris: For what duration did his family members, perhaps even his relatives, realize that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his employees and the law enforcement were fulfilling their roles, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he unabashedly welcomed them to royal residences.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his overspending with taxpayer funds.

Trips were listed in public records: chopper travel from the palace to a golf course and back again in time for midday meal, private flights instead of commercial flights, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

World of Deference

Furthermore the arrogance which demanded respect when he entered a area or the profound consciousness about his honorifics used on his official documents in messages to his associates.

He managed to escape consequences while his mother, who strangely pampered him, was still alive. The Queen did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and honorary colonelcies in the aftermath of his disastrous and, it is now clear, untruthful television interview six years ago.

Recent Developments

Just in the last 14 days that events progressed rapidly, following the release of accounts giving more disturbing particulars of his behavior and that of his companions.

More information have again exposed Andrew's assumption that he could avoid lying about his relationship with a notorious figure.

Society (and the press) were far in advance of the monarchy. There was nobody of any significance to speak up for him, a result of all those years of arrogance.

Monarchical Concerns

The more intelligent royals understood that. The one imperative is to transfer the crown, if not as heretofore at least complete and untarnished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to reverse the reputation of earlier rulers, proving they are beneficial, responsible and reactive to their citizens.

He was placing all that in jeopardy in an time when respect and privacy is no longer sufficient.

Aftermath

Finally, the famously indecisive king was prodded additional. There was little choice. The royal household had lost control of the account.

Currently the removal of honorifics and the continued and permanent personal shame that will hurt Andrew most severely.

• Demotion: Reduced to just a commoner
• Historical Precedent: The first monarch to forfeit his designations in modern times
• Naval Career: Particularly painful given his role in the conflict

He is still a royal advisor, theoretically able to act for the monarch, and he is still in the lineage to the crown, but none of these will ever happen.

Future Prospects

Can persons he meets still acknowledge him? Could they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Will they even say Sir,

Certainly, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the monarchy's large estate at a royal residence.

There, he will be furnished by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of private allowance.

This is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a minimal lease for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit far, 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 made public.

• Political Pressure: Might parliament request additional information
• Monetary Probe: Or scrutinize the misuse of public money
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a police investigation into his conduct

Possibly for the time being the reputational impact to the crown is restricted. The message from the royal household was evidently that the revocation of honorifics was what the king, and especially other senior royals, desired.

Altered Approach

No more illusion that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, notably, the brief statement showed plainly that the royals were aligning with the accuser's account of occurrences.

Furthermore, for the premiere occasion they eventually showed consideration for the survivors: "The measures are deemed necessary, regardless of the truth that he persists in refuting the claims against him."

Ultimately it is entitlement, selfishness and inactivity that will undermine the institution. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and greed, Andrew seems never to have grasped that truth.