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The saga started with a single photograph, perhaps the most consequential ever snapped of a member of the monarchy.

In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a young woman, while another individual grinned conspiratorially in the rear.

Absent that photograph, shot at a gathering in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the assertions of a young woman who stated she was transported across the sea and obliged to have cursory relations with a member of the monarchy?

An odd, telling action by someone who had openly stated to have never heard of her, claimed he could never have had relations with her, and yet handed over a large amount of family funds to settle a long-delayed lawsuit.

Over a Decade of Scandal

Considering this, discussions of the royals acting swiftly to distance themselves from Andrew are misguided. This controversy has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that picture, and an additional photo of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a convicted sex offender emerged.

• Self-importance: For what duration did his siblings, perhaps even his parents, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Problematic Connections: They must have understood, if his staff and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some deeply disreputable associates given he unabashedly welcomed them to royal residences.
• Financial Extravagance: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources.

Travel were printed in royal annual reports: chopper transfers from the palace to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, exclusive air travel instead of regular transport, all for the comfort of "the frequent flyer".

A Life of Privilege

Then there was the arrogance which expected subservience when he walked into a area or the supreme awareness about his honorifics used on his correspondence in communication to his associates.

He managed to escape consequences while his mother, who inexplicably pampered him, was still living. The monarch did at least revoke him of public duties and military positions in the aftermath of his disastrous and, as revealed, untruthful public statement six years ago.

Current Situation

Just in the last two weeks that events accelerated, following the issuance of accounts giving more disturbing information of his conduct and that of his companions.

More information have again highlighted Andrew's assumption that he could get away with being untruthful about his relationship with a convicted criminal.

People (and the media) were far in advance of the royal family. There was not a single person of any significance to support him, a result of all those years of hubris.

Monarchical Concerns

The more astute royals understood that. The one imperative is to pass on the monarchy, if not as before at least complete and unstained.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to overcome the reputation of past sovereigns, proving they are valuable, dutiful and attentive to their subjects.

He was placing all that in peril in an time when submission and discretion is no longer adequate.

Consequences

Eventually, the famously hesitant sovereign was prodded more. There was no other option. The royal household had lost control of the account.

Currently the stripping of designations and the continued and permanent public humiliation that will hurt Andrew the most.

• Reduction: Reduced to just a private citizen
• Prior Instance: The primary royal to lose his designations in recent history
• Military Service: Notably hurtful given his service in the conflict

He remains a royal advisor, on paper able to substitute for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but not any of these will truly happen.

Coming Developments

Do individuals he comes across still show respect to him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Would they say Mr,

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

At that location, he will be provided by the monarch with one of the grace and favour houses and given some form of personal stipend.

It is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a minimal rent for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit far, but even so it may not be far enough.

Unresolved Issues

This is not over. There are still files in the possession of overseas authorities to be made public.

• Parliamentary Interest: Could legislators request additional information
• Financial Investigation: Or investigate the misuse of public money
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a police investigation into his actions

Maybe for the present the harm to the monarchy to the monarchy is restricted. The statement from the royal household was evidently that the revocation of titles was what the sovereign, and notably other senior monarchical figures, sought.

Changed Stance

No more pretence that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, remarkably, the brief communication showed evidently that the royals were supporting the complainant's account of incidents.

Even more, for the first time they ultimately showed consideration for the affected individuals: "The measures are deemed necessary, despite the reality that he persists in refuting the claims against him."

In the end it is entitlement, self-seeking and laziness that will destroy the crown. In his folly, self-indulgence and greed, Andrew seems never to have learned that lesson.