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

There stood the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a young woman, while another individual grinned knowingly in the backdrop.

Lacking that snapshot, taken at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a young woman who said she was transported across the ocean and forced to have cursory intimate contact with a individual of the monarchy?

A curious, revealing move by someone who had overtly asserted to have no been aware of her, asserted he could no have had sex with her, and yet paid a substantial sum of monarchical funds to resolve a protracted lawsuit.

A Long Period of Disgrace

Considering this, talk of the royals acting decisively to cut Andrew off are wide of the mark. This affair has endured for the majority of 15 years since that picture, and another snapshot of Andrew ambling congenially with a disgraced financier surfaced.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his family members, perhaps even his mother and father, understand that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Questionable Associations: They must have realized, if his employees and the police were performing their duties, that he had some extremely unsavory friends given he publicly invited them to royal residences.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Travel were listed in public records: private aircraft travel from the palace to a golf course and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of scheduled services, all for the comfort of "the travel enthusiast".

World of Deference

Additionally the arrogance which expected subservience when he walked into a room or the profound consciousness about his royal titles used on his official documents in letters to his friends.

He avoided accountability while his mother, who unaccountably pampered him, was still living. The Queen did at least strip him of official roles and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his disastrous and, we now know, untruthful television interview six years ago.

Recent Developments

It was only in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the publication of biographical works giving more disturbing particulars of his conduct and that of his connections.

Further disclosures have again exposed Andrew's thinking that he could get away with being untruthful about his contact with a notorious figure.

Society (and the journalists) were far ahead of the monarchy. There was nobody of any importance to support him, a consequence of all those years of presumption.

Monarchical Concerns

The more intelligent monarchical figures recognized that. The one imperative is to pass on the institution, if not as before at least whole and unstained.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the image of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are beneficial, accountable and responsive to their people.

His actions endangered all that in jeopardy in an age when respect and secrecy is no longer adequate.

The Fallout

Eventually, the notoriously hesitant king was pushed more. There was no other option. The royal household had lost control of the story.

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

• Demotion: Reduced to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Historical Precedent: The first royal to lose his designations in recent history
• Naval Career: Notably stinging given his service in the engagement

He continues to be a counsellor of state, theoretically able to stand in for the king, and he is still in the lineage to the throne, but none of these will ever come to pass.

What Lies Ahead

Can persons he encounters still acknowledge him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Will they even say Andrew,

Certainly, he is not moving to a common area, but to the royal family's vast estate at a monarchical property.

At that location, he will be provided by the king with one of the estate properties and given some type of financial support.

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

Pending Matters

Matters remain unresolved. There are still files in the hands of overseas authorities to be revealed.

• Political Pressure: Might parliament demand more
• Financial Investigation: Or examine the improper use of state resources
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his conduct

Perhaps for the moment the reputational impact to the monarchy is restricted. The narrative from the palace was plainly that the stripping of titles was what the king, and especially other senior family members, sought.

Changed Stance

The cessation of deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the short communication showed plainly that the royals were siding with the complainant's account of incidents.

Even more, for the premiere occasion they ultimately showed consideration for the survivors: "The measures are judged required, notwithstanding the fact that he maintains his innocence of the claims against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, selfishness and laziness that will undermine the monarchy. In his stupidity, self-indulgence and greed, Andrew appears never to have grasped that lesson.