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It all began with a solitary photograph, arguably the most consequential ever taken of a individual from the royal household.

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

Absent that snapshot, taken at a gathering in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a teenager who said she was moved across the ocean and obliged to have perfunctory sexual encounters with a individual of the monarchy?

A curious, revealing gesture by someone who had openly claimed to have no heard of her, said he could never have had sex with her, and yet handed over a large amount of monarchical funds to avert a protracted court action.

Years of Scandal

In this context, talk of the royal family acting firmly to cut Andrew off are inaccurate. This controversy has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and another image of Andrew walking congenially with a disgraced financier emerged.

• Hubris: For what duration did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his mother and father, realize that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have known, if his staff and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable friends given he openly welcomed them to royal residences.
• Monetary Excess: If the monarchy did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Trips were documented in public records: helicopter flights from the palace to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, private flights instead of regular transport, all for the comfort of "the travel enthusiast".

A Life of Privilege

Then there was the presumption which expected respect when he entered a space or the supreme 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 inexplicably spoiled him, was still living. The sovereign did at least revoke him of public duties and ceremonial ranks in the wake of his ill-fated and, as revealed, untruthful public statement six years ago.

Current Situation

Just in the last two weeks that events progressed rapidly, following the release of biographical works giving more disturbing particulars of his actions and that of his companions.

More information have again exposed Andrew's thinking that he could avoid being untruthful about his contact with a convicted criminal.

The public (and the press) were far in advance of the monarchy. There was no one of any significance to support him, a outcome of all those years of hubris.

Institutional Fears

The more astute monarchical figures realized that. The primary concern is to transfer the institution, if not as before at least whole and unstained.

Over time the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of earlier rulers, proving they are valuable, responsible and reactive to their citizens.

He was placing all that in jeopardy in an time when deference and discretion is no longer enough.

Aftermath

Finally, the famously uncertain monarch was pushed further. There was no other option. The palace had relinquished authority of the account.

Now it is the stripping of honorifics and the ongoing and lifetime personal shame that will pain Andrew most severely.

• Reduction: Demoted to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Prior Instance: The first monarch to lose his titles in recent history
• Military Service: Notably stinging given his duty in the engagement

He is still a royal advisor, in principle able to stand in for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but none of these will truly come to pass.

Future Prospects

Can persons he comes across still acknowledge him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Will they even say Sir,

Naturally, he is not retiring to a common area, but to the royal family's large grounds at a royal residence.

In that place, he will be supplied by the monarch with one of the estate properties and given some type of private allowance.

This is not his former home, where he paid a nominal lease for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit distant, but even so it may not be far enough.

Unresolved Issues

Matters remain unresolved. There are still files in the custody of US Congress to be revealed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Might lawmakers request additional information
• Financial Investigation: Or scrutinize the improper use of public money
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a criminal probe into his behavior

Maybe for the present the reputational impact to the institution is contained. The message from the institution was plainly that the stripping of designations was what the monarch, and particularly other senior royals, wanted.

Changed Stance

No more deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the brief communication showed clearly that the monarchy were supporting the complainant's version of events.

Furthermore, for the premiere occasion they eventually showed regard for the victims: "The measures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the truth that he persists in refuting the allegations against him."

In the end it is presumption, self-seeking and indolence that will destroy the monarchy. In his foolishness, self-gratification and corruption, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that reality.