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It all began with a single photograph, arguably the most significant ever taken of a royal family member.

Present was the Earl of Inverness, standing closely beside a female youth, while a companion beamed knowingly in the backdrop.

Absent that photograph, captured at a gathering in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a adolescent who said she was moved across the Atlantic and forced to have brief intimate contact with a prince of the monarchy?

An odd, indicative move by someone who had publicly stated to have not heard of her, asserted he could no have had sex with her, and yet handed over millions of family funds to resolve a protracted court action.

Years of Controversy

Considering this, discussions of the monarchy acting decisively to distance themselves from Andrew are misguided. This affair has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that photograph, and an additional snapshot of Andrew ambling amiably with a notorious individual came to light.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his family members, perhaps even his mother and father, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his staff and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable associates given he publicly invited them to estates.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his overspending with public money.

Journeys were listed in royal annual reports: private aircraft transfers from the estate to a sporting venue and back again in time for lunch, private flights instead of commercial flights, all for the convenience of "Airmiles Andy".

World of Deference

Then there was the presumption which required respect when he entered a room or the extreme obsession about his royal titles used on his official documents in communication to his associates.

He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who inexplicably pampered him, was still alive. The monarch did at least revoke him of royal responsibilities and honorary colonelcies in the wake of his disastrous and, it is now clear, untruthful television interview six years ago.

Recent Developments

Merely in the last 14 days that events sped up, following the issuance of books giving more disturbing details of his actions and that of his companions.

Additional revelations have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could avoid lying about his relationship with a notorious figure.

The public (and the press) were far more perceptive of the royal family. There was nobody of any importance to speak up for him, a consequence of all those years of presumption.

Institutional Fears

The more astute royals recognized that. The one imperative is to transfer the institution, if not as heretofore at least complete and untarnished.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of previous monarchs, showing they are useful, responsible and responsive to their people.

His actions endangered all that in jeopardy in an time when submission and secrecy is no longer sufficient.

Aftermath

Ultimately, the notoriously uncertain king was pushed additional. There was little choice. The royal household had lost control of the account.

Presently the loss of titles and the persistent and life-long social disgrace that will pain Andrew most deeply.

• Demotion: Reduced to just a private citizen
• Past Example: The initial member to forfeit his titles in contemporary era
• Naval Career: Especially stinging given his duty in the conflict

He continues to be a counsellor of state, in principle able to act for the sovereign, and he is still eighth in line to the throne, but neither of these will ever come to pass.

Coming Developments

Can persons he encounters still acknowledge him? Could they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Would they say Andrew,

Naturally, he is not moving to a common area, but to the monarchy's vast estate 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 sort of financial support.

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

Outstanding Concerns

The situation continues. There are still documents in the possession of American legislators to be revealed.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Might parliament request additional information
• Financial Investigation: Or scrutinize the waste of public money
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his conduct

Maybe for the present the reputational impact to the crown is limited. The message from the palace was clearly that the revocation of honorifics was what the monarch, and particularly other senior monarchical figures, desired.

Changed Stance

The cessation of pretence that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, significantly, the short statement showed plainly that the monarchy were supporting the victim's narrative of events.

Even more, for the first time they eventually showed concern for the victims: "The censures are considered essential, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

Finally it is entitlement, selfishness and inactivity that will kill the monarchy. In his foolishness, personal excess and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that truth.