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It all began with a isolated photograph, arguably the most consequential ever snapped of a royal family member.

In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a female youth, while another individual grinned conspiratorially in the background.

Absent that photograph, taken at a social event in 2001, few would have credited the allegations of a adolescent who declared she was moved across the Atlantic and forced to have perfunctory relations with a prince of the monarchy?

An odd, indicative gesture by someone who had overtly asserted to have not known about her, claimed he could not have had sex with her, and yet provided a large amount of his mother's money to avert a long-delayed legal case.

Over a Decade of Scandal

In this context, conversations of the royals acting decisively to cut Andrew off are inaccurate. This affair has endured for the majority of 15 years since that image, and another photo of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Hubris: For what duration did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his parents, know that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Problematic Connections: They must have known, if his aides and the law enforcement were fulfilling their roles, that he had some extremely unsavory companions given he unabashedly welcomed them to palaces.
• Financial Extravagance: If the household did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds.

Trips were printed in public records: private aircraft flights from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for lunch, chartered planes instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "Airmiles Andy".

Existence of Entitlement

Additionally the entitlement which required respect when he appeared in a room or the extreme consciousness about his honorifics used on his letterheads in messages to his personal acquaintances.

He could get away with it while his parent, who strangely pampered him, was still surviving. The Queen did at least revoke him of official roles and honorary colonelcies in the aftermath of his ill-fated and, as revealed, untruthful public statement six years ago.

Latest Events

Merely in the last two weeks that events sped up, following the release of books giving more disturbing information of his actions and that of his connections.

More information have again exposed Andrew's thinking that he could get away with being untruthful about his relationship with a notorious figure.

People (and the journalists) were far in advance of the royals. There was no one of any importance to speak up for him, a outcome of all those years of hubris.

Institutional Fears

The more astute royals understood that. The key objective is to transfer the institution, if not as previously at least intact and unblemished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to overcome the reputation of previous monarchs, proving they are useful, responsible and responsive to their people.

His actions endangered all that in danger in an era when deference and secrecy is no longer adequate.

Consequences

Finally, the well-known uncertain king was pushed more. There was no alternative. The royal household had surrendered command of the story.

Currently the stripping of designations and the ongoing and lifetime personal shame that will hurt Andrew the most.

• Demotion: Demoted to just a commoner
• Historical Precedent: The primary member to forfeit his designations in contemporary era
• Naval Career: Especially hurtful given his service in the conflict

He remains a royal advisor, on paper able to act for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but none of these will actually happen.

Future Prospects

Can persons he encounters still show respect to him? Might they still slip up and call him Prince? Will they even say Mr,

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

At that location, he will be provided by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of personal stipend.

It is not his previous residence, where he paid a token payment for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit far, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed.

Outstanding Concerns

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

• Political Pressure: Might parliament seek further action
• Fiscal Review: Or scrutinize the improper use of public money
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his actions

Possibly for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the institution is limited. The message from the institution was plainly that the removal of titles was what the king, and notably other senior family members, sought.

Altered Approach

An end to deception that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, notably, the concise statement showed clearly that the monarchy were supporting the complainant's account of occurrences.

Even more, for the initial instance they eventually showed regard for the affected individuals: "The measures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the reality that he persists in refuting the allegations against him."

In the end it is entitlement, selfishness and laziness that will undermine the institution. In his stupidity, personal excess and corruption, Andrew seems never to have learned that lesson.