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It all began with a single photograph, arguably the most consequential ever snapped of a royal family member.

In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, arm-in-arm a young woman, while a companion grinned knowingly in the rear.

Without that image, shot at a social event in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a teenager who said she was moved across the Atlantic and obliged to have perfunctory relations with a member of the royal family?

A curious, indicative move by someone who had openly stated to have not been aware of her, asserted he could no have had sex with her, and yet paid a large amount of family funds to resolve a long-delayed legal case.

Years of Scandal

Against this backdrop, discussions of the royals acting decisively to sever ties with Andrew are misguided. This scandal has endured for the better part of 15 years since that image, and an additional photo of Andrew strolling amiably with a notorious individual came to light.

• Self-importance: How long did his siblings, perhaps even his relatives, know that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have known, if his aides and the police were doing their jobs, that he had some deeply disreputable associates given he unabashedly welcomed them to royal residences.
• Monetary Excess: If the monarchy did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Travel were printed in official documents: chopper flights from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, exclusive air travel instead of commercial flights, all for the convenience of "Airmiles Andy".

A Life of Privilege

Furthermore the entitlement which required respect when he appeared in a room or the supreme obsession about his royal titles used on his letterheads in messages to his associates.

He could get away with it while his matriarch, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still living. The monarch did at least revoke him of public duties and military positions in the wake of his ill-fated and, as revealed, untruthful public statement six years ago.

Current Situation

Just in the last fortnight that events sped up, following the release of books giving more disturbing particulars of his behavior and that of his connections.

Further disclosures have again highlighted Andrew's belief that he could avoid deceiving about his relationship with a disgraced individual.

People (and the journalists) were far more perceptive of the royal family. There was no one of any importance to support him, a consequence of all those years of arrogance.

Institutional Fears

The more astute monarchical figures understood that. The key objective is to pass on the crown, if not as before at least complete and unblemished.

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

His actions endangered all that in peril in an era when deference and privacy is no longer sufficient.

The Fallout

Ultimately, the notoriously hesitant monarch was pressured additional. There was little choice. The palace had relinquished authority of the narrative.

Currently the stripping of titles and the ongoing and permanent public humiliation that will hurt Andrew most deeply.

• Reduction: Demoted to just a private citizen
• Prior Instance: The initial monarch to surrender his designations in recent history
• Naval Career: Notably stinging given his service in the conflict

He is still a constitutional officer, in principle able to act for the monarch, and he is still in the succession to the monarchy, but none of these will actually occur.

Future Prospects

Will people he encounters still acknowledge him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Will they even say Mr,

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

At that location, he will be provided by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of private allowance.

This is not his former home, where he paid a token rent for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit distant, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Outstanding Concerns

The situation continues. There are still files in the custody of American legislators to be revealed.

• Political Pressure: Could legislators seek further action
• Financial Investigation: Or investigate the misuse of state resources
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a police investigation into his conduct

Maybe for the moment the harm to the monarchy to the crown is restricted. The statement from the royal household was clearly that the stripping of titles was what the monarch, and particularly other senior monarchical figures, desired.

Changed Stance

No more illusion that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, significantly, the brief announcement showed clearly that the monarchy were siding with the accuser's version of events.

Even more, for the premiere occasion they finally showed concern for the affected individuals: "These actions are deemed necessary, despite the truth that he persists in refuting the claims against him."

Finally it is presumption, self-seeking and inactivity that will destroy the crown. In his foolishness, personal excess and corruption, Andrew appears never to have understood that reality.