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The saga started with a solitary photograph, arguably the most consequential ever taken of a royal family member.

In the frame appeared the Earl of Inverness, standing closely beside a female youth, while another individual beamed suggestively in the rear.

Lacking that image, taken at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a young woman who said she was moved across the ocean and obliged to have cursory relations with a member of the royal family?

A strange, revealing action by someone who had overtly claimed to have no known about her, asserted he could no have had relations with her, and yet paid a large amount of his mother's funds to settle a long-delayed lawsuit.

A Long Period of Controversy

In this context, conversations of the monarchy acting swiftly to cut Andrew off are wide of the mark. This affair has persisted for the largest portion of 15 years since that photograph, and an additional snapshot of Andrew strolling congenially with a disgraced financier surfaced.

• Hubris: How long did his family members, possibly even his mother and father, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his aides and the law enforcement were doing their jobs, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he openly welcomed them to palaces.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the household did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with state resources.

Trips were listed in official documents: private aircraft transfers from the royal residence to a golf course and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of scheduled services, all for the comfort of "the travel enthusiast".

A Life of Privilege

Additionally the arrogance which expected deference when he entered a space or the extreme consciousness about his royal titles used on his letterheads in communication to his friends.

He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who inexplicably spoiled him, was still living. The Queen did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the consequence of his catastrophic and, we now know, deceptive public statement six years ago.

Latest Events

Just in the last 14 days that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of biographical works giving more grim particulars of his behavior and that of his companions.

Further disclosures have again exposed Andrew's belief that he could escape lying about his relationship with a convicted criminal.

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

Institutional Fears

The more astute monarchical figures understood that. The one imperative is to hand down the crown, if not as heretofore at least intact and untarnished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to undo the image of previous monarchs, proving they are valuable, dutiful and attentive to their citizens.

He was placing all that in jeopardy in an age when respect and secrecy is no longer adequate.

The Fallout

Finally, the famously uncertain king was pressured further. There was no alternative. The royal household had surrendered command of the account.

Presently the removal of designations and the ongoing and permanent personal shame that will pain Andrew most deeply.

• Demotion: Reduced to just a commoner
• Past Example: The initial monarch to lose his titles in modern times
• Military Service: Especially stinging given his role in the conflict

He continues to be a counsellor of state, in principle able to act for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the throne, but none of these will actually occur.

Coming Developments

Do individuals he meets still acknowledge him? Will they still forget themselves and call him Your Highness? Would they say Sir,

Naturally, he is not moving to suburbia, but to the monarchy's extensive grounds at a monarchical property.

In that place, he will be furnished by the monarch with one of the royal residences and given some type of personal stipend.

This differs from his previous residence, where he paid a token payment for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit remote, but even so it may not be far enough.

Outstanding Concerns

Matters remain unresolved. There are still records in the hands of American legislators to be made public.

• Parliamentary Interest: Could lawmakers demand more
• Monetary Probe: Or examine the misuse of taxpayer funds
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a police investigation into his actions

Maybe for the present the institutional damage to the crown is limited. The statement from the institution was clearly that the stripping of designations was what the king, and particularly other senior monarchical figures, desired.

Altered Approach

No more illusion that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, significantly, the concise announcement showed evidently that the monarchy were aligning with the complainant's narrative of occurrences.

Additionally, for the premiere occasion they ultimately showed concern for the victims: "The censures are considered essential, notwithstanding the truth that he continues to deny the accusations against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, self-interest and inactivity that will undermine the crown. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and corruption, Andrew appears never to have grasped that reality.