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

Present was the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a teenage girl, while an associate smiled conspiratorially in the background.

Without that snapshot, shot at a social event in 2001, few would have credited the allegations of a teenager who said she was moved across the ocean and forced to have brief intimate contact with a individual of the monarchy?

An odd, telling action by someone who had openly claimed to have not known about her, said he could not have had relations with her, and yet provided a large amount of family resources to resolve a long-delayed court action.

Years of Disgrace

Considering this, talk of the royal family acting swiftly to distance themselves from Andrew are misguided. This affair has continued for the largest portion of 15 years since that photograph, and a further snapshot of Andrew strolling amiably with a convicted sex offender surfaced.

• Self-importance: For what duration did his siblings, maybe even his mother and father, understand that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Questionable Associations: They must have understood, if his employees and the police were performing their duties, that he had some highly questionable associates given he unabashedly hosted them to estates.
• Financial Extravagance: If the monarchy did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his overspending with public money.

Trips were listed in royal annual reports: chopper travel from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for lunch, chartered planes instead of regular transport, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

A Life of Privilege

Then there was the presumption which expected deference when he walked into a room or the supreme awareness about his honorifics used on his letterheads in communication to his friends.

He managed to escape consequences while his mother, who strangely spoiled him, was still living. The Queen did at least strip him of public duties and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his disastrous and, it is now clear, untruthful media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last 14 days that events accelerated, following the release of biographical works giving more disturbing information of his conduct and that of his connections.

More information have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could get away with deceiving about his relationship with a convicted criminal.

The public (and the journalists) were far in advance of the royals. There was no one of any importance to speak up for him, a consequence of all those years of arrogance.

Royal Worries

The more intelligent monarchical figures realized that. The key objective is to hand down the monarchy, if not as before at least complete and unstained.

For generations the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are beneficial, responsible and reactive to their citizens.

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

Aftermath

Finally, the famously indecisive king was pushed more. There was little choice. The institution had relinquished authority of the account.

Presently the loss of designations and the continued and permanent public humiliation that will hurt Andrew the most.

• Reduction: Demoted to just a commoner
• Historical Precedent: The first member to forfeit his designations in contemporary era
• Naval Career: Notably stinging given his duty in the engagement

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

What Lies Ahead

Will people he comes across still acknowledge him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Your Highness? Will they even say Sir,

Naturally, he is not retiring to suburbia, but to the royal family's extensive grounds at Sandringham.

There, he will be provided by the king with one of the grace and favour houses and given some sort of private allowance.

This is not his previous residence, where he paid a minimal payment for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit distant, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Pending Matters

Matters remain unresolved. There are still documents in the hands of US Congress to be made public.

• Political Pressure: Might legislators request additional information
• Financial Investigation: Or examine the misuse of public money
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a police investigation into his actions

Maybe for the time being the institutional damage to the crown is limited. The narrative from the institution was clearly that the revocation of designations was what the monarch, and especially other senior family members, wanted.

Changed Stance

No more pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the concise statement showed clearly that the institution were aligning with the complainant's account of occurrences.

Additionally, for the initial instance they finally showed regard for the affected individuals: "The censures are judged required, notwithstanding the truth that he persists in refuting the accusations against him."

In the end it is entitlement, self-interest and inactivity that will destroy the monarchy. In his folly, personal excess and greed, Andrew seems never to have learned that lesson.