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It all began with a single photograph, arguably the most impactful ever taken of a member of the monarchy.

Present was the Baron Killyleagh, arm-in-arm a female youth, while a companion beamed knowingly in the backdrop.

Absent that snapshot, shot at a gathering in 2001, who would have believed the allegations of a teenager who said she was transported across the ocean and compelled to have cursory intimate contact with a prince of the royal family?

A strange, revealing action by someone who had publicly stated to have not known about her, said he could never have had sex with her, and yet handed over a large amount of his mother's resources to avert a protracted court action.

Over a Decade of Disgrace

In this context, conversations of the monarchy acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This affair has persisted for the majority of 15 years since that picture, and an additional image of Andrew strolling amiably with a disgraced financier emerged.

• Self-importance: For what duration did his family members, maybe even his parents, understand that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have understood, if his staff and the authorities were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable friends given he unabashedly invited them to royal residences.
• Financial Extravagance: If the family did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources.

Trips were documented in public records: helicopter travel from the royal residence to a country club and back again in time for lunch, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

A Life of Privilege

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

He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who unaccountably indulged him, was still living. The monarch did at least strip him of public duties and military positions in the wake of his catastrophic and, as revealed, deceptive public statement six years ago.

Recent Developments

It was only in the last two weeks that events sped up, following the publication of accounts giving more troubling particulars of his actions and that of his connections.

Additional revelations have again highlighted Andrew's belief that he could get away with being untruthful about his contact with a convicted criminal.

People (and the journalists) were far more perceptive of the monarchy. There was no one of any significance to defend him, a outcome of all those years of presumption.

Monarchical Concerns

The more intelligent royals realized that. The key objective is to pass on the monarchy, if not as before at least whole and unblemished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to overcome the reputation of earlier rulers, proving they are valuable, dutiful and reactive to their subjects.

His actions endangered all that in peril in an age when deference and discretion is no longer adequate.

Aftermath

Finally, the famously indecisive sovereign was prodded additional. There was no other option. The institution had relinquished authority of the account.

Now it is the stripping of designations and the ongoing and life-long social disgrace that will pain Andrew most deeply.

• Reduction: Reduced to just a commoner
• Prior Instance: The initial royal to lose his designations in modern times
• Military Service: Notably painful given his duty in the conflict

He is still a constitutional officer, theoretically able to substitute for the king, and he is still in the lineage to the crown, but not any of these will truly occur.

Future Prospects

Do individuals he comes across still defer to him? Could they still slip up and call him Prince? Might they say Mr,

Of course, he is not retiring to an ordinary town, but to the monarchy's vast grounds at a monarchical property.

In that place, he will be provided by the monarch with one of the royal residences and given some type of financial support.

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

Outstanding Concerns

Matters remain unresolved. There are still documents in the possession of overseas authorities to be disclosed.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Could lawmakers request additional information
• Fiscal Review: Or scrutinize the misuse of state resources
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a criminal probe into his actions

Possibly for the present the institutional damage to the institution is contained. The statement from the palace was evidently that the removal of titles was what the monarch, and notably other senior family members, sought.

A Shift in Position

No more deception that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, remarkably, the brief communication showed clearly that the institution were siding with the complainant's version of incidents.

Even more, for the first time they ultimately showed regard for the affected individuals: "The measures are judged required, notwithstanding the truth that he persists in refuting the allegations against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, self-interest and laziness that will destroy the monarchy. In his foolishness, personal excess and greed, Andrew appears never to have learned that lesson.