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

Present was the Earl of Inverness, arm-in-arm a young woman, while an associate beamed conspiratorially in the backdrop.

Without that snapshot, taken at a social event in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a young woman who said she was trafficked across the sea and obliged to have perfunctory relations with a individual of the monarchy?

A curious, telling action by someone who had publicly stated to have not heard of her, claimed he could never have had intimate contact with her, and yet provided a large amount of monarchical money to avert a drawn-out lawsuit.

A Long Period of Disgrace

In this context, discussions of the monarchy acting swiftly to cut Andrew off are inaccurate. This affair has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that picture, and another photo of Andrew walking congenially with a convicted sex offender emerged.

• Hubris: To what extent did his siblings, perhaps even his relatives, know that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his staff and the law enforcement were performing their duties, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he publicly invited them to estates.
• Financial Extravagance: If the monarchy did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his overspending with public money.

Journeys were listed in public records: helicopter travel from the palace to a golf course and back again in time for dining, exclusive air travel instead of commercial flights, all for the comfort of "the frequent flyer".

Existence of Entitlement

Then there was the entitlement which required deference when he walked into a room or the supreme consciousness about his honorifics used on his official documents in communication to his personal acquaintances.

He avoided accountability while his mother, who unaccountably pampered him, was still surviving. The sovereign did at least remove him of official roles and ceremonial ranks in the aftermath of his ill-fated and, it is now clear, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Latest Events

Just in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the publication of books giving more troubling details of his conduct and that of his connections.

Additional revelations have again revealed Andrew's thinking that he could escape deceiving about his relationship with a convicted criminal.

The public (and the press) were far ahead of the royal family. There was no one of any importance to speak up for him, a consequence of all those years of arrogance.

Monarchical Concerns

The more astute royals recognized that. The one imperative is to pass on the monarchy, if not as previously at least whole and unblemished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the image of previous monarchs, proving they are beneficial, responsible and reactive to their people.

His actions endangered all that in danger in an age when submission and privacy is no longer adequate.

Aftermath

Eventually, the well-known uncertain king was pressured additional. There was no other option. The royal household had relinquished authority of the account.

Currently the removal of honorifics and the ongoing and lifetime personal shame that will pain Andrew most deeply.

• Demotion: Demoted to just a commoner
• Past Example: The first member to lose his titles in recent history
• Naval Career: Notably painful given his service in the Falklands war

He is still a constitutional officer, on paper able to substitute for the sovereign, and he is still in the lineage to the monarchy, but neither of these will truly come to pass.

What Lies Ahead

Do individuals he encounters still acknowledge him? Will they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Would they say Andrew,

Of course, he is not withdrawing to suburbia, but to the royal family's large estate at Sandringham.

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

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

Pending Matters

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

• Governmental Scrutiny: Might legislators seek further action
• Fiscal Review: Or investigate the improper use of state resources
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior

Perhaps for the present the harm to the monarchy to the crown is limited. The statement from the palace was plainly that the removal of designations was what the monarch, and especially other senior monarchical figures, wanted.

A Shift in Position

The cessation of pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, remarkably, the short statement showed plainly that the monarchy were supporting the complainant's account of incidents.

Even more, for the initial instance they eventually showed consideration for the survivors: "These actions are judged required, despite the truth that he maintains his innocence of the allegations against him."

In the end it is presumption, selfishness and indolence that will destroy the institution. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and venality, Andrew seems never to have grasped that lesson.