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The saga started with a isolated photograph, perhaps the most consequential ever snapped of a individual from the royal household.

In the frame appeared the Earl of Inverness, arm-in-arm a young woman, while an associate grinned conspiratorially in the rear.

Absent that snapshot, shot at a gathering in 2001, who would have believed the claims of a teenager who stated she was trafficked across the ocean and forced to have perfunctory relations with a member of the royal bloodline?

An odd, telling action by someone who had openly asserted to have never heard of her, said he could never have had sex with her, and yet handed over a large amount of monarchical funds to resolve a drawn-out legal case.

Over a Decade of Disgrace

Against this backdrop, conversations of the monarchy acting firmly to distance themselves from Andrew are wide of the mark. This scandal has endured for the better part of 15 years since that image, and an additional image of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a notorious individual came to light.

• Self-importance: How long did his siblings, possibly even his parents, understand that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Questionable Associations: They must have realized, if his employees and the police were doing their jobs, that he had some extremely unsavory friends given he publicly welcomed them to royal residences.
• Monetary Excess: If the monarchy did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources.

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

Existence of Entitlement

Furthermore the arrogance which demanded subservience when he walked into a room or the profound consciousness about his honorifics used on his official documents in messages to his friends.

He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who inexplicably pampered him, was still alive. The sovereign did at least remove him of public duties and honorary colonelcies in the wake of his ill-fated and, as revealed, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Recent Developments

Just in the last 14 days that events progressed rapidly, following the release of accounts giving more grim information of his actions and that of his associates.

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

People (and the journalists) were far more perceptive of the royal family. There was nobody of any significance to speak up for him, a consequence of all those years of hubris.

Monarchical Concerns

The wiser family members recognized that. The key objective is to transfer the monarchy, if not as heretofore at least complete and unblemished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to overcome the legacy of past sovereigns, proving they are beneficial, accountable and responsive to their citizens.

He was placing all that in jeopardy in an age when deference and secrecy is no longer sufficient.

Aftermath

Finally, the well-known hesitant sovereign was pushed further. There was no alternative. The royal household had lost control of the account.

Currently the stripping of designations and the continued and lifetime social disgrace that will pain Andrew most deeply.

• Downgrading: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Historical Precedent: The first member to lose his titles in modern times
• Armed Forces: Particularly hurtful given his role in the engagement

He remains a royal advisor, in principle able to act for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the throne, but neither of these will truly happen.

Coming Developments

Can persons he comes across still show respect to him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Your Highness? Would they say Mr,

Of course, he is not withdrawing to suburbia, but to the sovereign's vast property at a monarchical property.

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

This is not his previous residence, where he paid a minimal lease for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit far, but even so it may not be far enough.

Outstanding Concerns

The situation continues. There are still documents in the custody of US Congress to be made public.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Might lawmakers demand more
• Fiscal Review: Or investigate the waste of state resources
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his actions

Possibly for the moment the harm to the monarchy to the institution is contained. The statement from the institution was plainly that the removal of designations was what the monarch, and notably other senior family members, wanted.

A Shift in Position

No more pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, remarkably, the short statement showed clearly that the royals were aligning with the accuser's account of occurrences.

Additionally, for the first time they ultimately showed concern for the survivors: "The censures are judged required, notwithstanding the truth that he continues to deny the accusations against him."

In the end it is entitlement, selfishness and inactivity that will destroy the crown. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have learned that truth.