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This episode commenced with a isolated photograph, possibly the most impactful ever captured of a member of the monarchy.

In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a young woman, while an associate smiled conspiratorially in the background.

Without that image, shot at a social event in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the allegations of a young woman who stated she was moved across the Atlantic and obliged to have brief sexual encounters with a individual of the royal family?

A strange, revealing gesture by someone who had openly asserted to have no been aware of her, claimed he could not have had intimate contact with her, and yet provided a large amount of his mother's funds to resolve a protracted court action.

A Long Period of Controversy

Considering this, talk of the royal family acting firmly to distance themselves from Andrew are wide of the mark. This controversy has endured for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and another photo of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a disgraced financier surfaced.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his siblings, possibly even his parents, know that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Problematic Connections: They must have understood, if his employees and the authorities were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable associates given he openly invited them to estates.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his overspending with state resources.

Trips were printed in official documents: private aircraft travel from the palace to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the convenience of "Airmiles Andy".

A Life of Privilege

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

He could get away with it while his mother, who strangely pampered him, was still alive. The Queen did at least strip him of public duties and honorary colonelcies in the consequence of his ill-fated and, it is now clear, untruthful media appearance six years ago.

Recent Developments

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

Further disclosures have again highlighted Andrew's assumption that he could get away with lying about his interaction with a convicted criminal.

The public (and the media) were far in advance of the monarchy. There was not a single person of any significance to speak up for him, a outcome of all those years of presumption.

Monarchical Concerns

The wiser monarchical figures recognized that. The key objective is to transfer the monarchy, if not as previously at least whole and unblemished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are useful, responsible and responsive to their citizens.

Andrew was putting all that in jeopardy in an era when submission and secrecy is no longer adequate.

Consequences

Eventually, the well-known hesitant sovereign was prodded additional. There was little choice. The royal household had relinquished authority of the story.

Now it is the stripping of honorifics and the persistent and lifetime social disgrace that will pain Andrew most severely.

• Downgrading: Reduced to just a commoner
• Historical Precedent: The primary member to surrender his titles in modern times
• Military Service: Notably stinging given his duty in the Falklands war

He is still a constitutional officer, in principle able to substitute for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but not any of these will actually happen.

Coming Developments

Can persons he comes across still show respect to him? Could they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Will they even say Sir,

Of course, he is not retiring to suburbia, but to the royal family's extensive grounds at Sandringham.

There, he will be provided by the monarch with one of the estate properties and given some sort of financial support.

This differs from his prior accommodation, where he paid a token lease for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit distant, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Pending Matters

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

• Governmental Scrutiny: Might parliament request additional information
• Fiscal Review: Or investigate the improper use of public money
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a criminal probe into his behavior

Possibly for the moment the reputational impact to the monarchy is contained. The message from the royal household was evidently that the removal of designations was what the sovereign, and notably other senior monarchical figures, sought.

A Shift in Position

The cessation of pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, remarkably, the short communication showed clearly that the institution were supporting the complainant's account of incidents.

Additionally, for the initial instance they finally showed consideration for the affected individuals: "The measures are deemed necessary, despite the truth that he maintains his innocence of the claims against him."

Ultimately it is entitlement, selfishness and indolence that will destroy the crown. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and venality, Andrew appears never to have grasped that lesson.