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The saga started with a isolated photograph, arguably the most significant ever captured of a royal family member.

There stood the Earl of Inverness, arm-in-arm a female youth, while an associate smiled suggestively in the background.

Without that snapshot, shot at a social event in 2001, who would have believed the assertions of a teenager who declared she was transported across the ocean and forced to have perfunctory intimate contact with a individual of the royal bloodline?

A curious, telling action by someone who had publicly stated to have not been aware of her, said he could not have had relations with her, and yet provided a substantial sum of monarchical funds to settle a protracted court action.

A Long Period of Disgrace

In this context, talk of the royal family acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This affair has persisted for the majority of 15 years since that image, and an additional photo of Andrew walking congenially with a notorious individual came to light.

• Hubris: For what duration did his brothers and sisters, possibly even his relatives, realize that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Problematic Connections: They must have understood, if his aides and the police were doing their jobs, that he had some highly questionable friends given he openly invited them to palaces.
• Financial Extravagance: If the monarchy did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Journeys were listed in public records: chopper travel from the royal residence to a country club and back again in time for lunch, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the comfort of "Airmiles Andy".

World of Deference

Then there was the arrogance which demanded respect when he appeared in a room or the extreme awareness about his honorifics used on his correspondence in communication to his personal acquaintances.

He managed to escape consequences while his matriarch, who inexplicably spoiled him, was still surviving. The Queen did at least strip him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the wake of his disastrous and, it is now clear, untruthful public statement six years ago.

Latest Events

Just in the last two weeks that events sped up, following the issuance of biographical works giving more troubling details of his behavior and that of his companions.

Additional revelations have again highlighted Andrew's assumption that he could escape being untruthful about his contact with a convicted criminal.

The public (and the media) were far more perceptive of the monarchy. There was not a single person of any significance to speak up for him, a result of all those years of arrogance.

Institutional Fears

The more astute royals realized that. The one imperative is to pass on the institution, if not as before at least whole and unstained.

For generations the last 190 years trying to overcome the legacy of earlier rulers, showing they are beneficial, responsible and attentive to their citizens.

His actions endangered all that in peril in an age when respect and privacy is no longer sufficient.

Aftermath

Ultimately, the notoriously hesitant king was prodded more. There was no other option. The palace had surrendered command of the narrative.

Now it is the removal of titles and the ongoing and permanent social disgrace that will pain Andrew the most.

• Downgrading: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Prior Instance: The initial member to forfeit his titles in modern times
• Armed Forces: Notably hurtful given his duty in the Falklands war

He remains a royal advisor, theoretically able to stand in for the king, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but none of these will ever come to pass.

Future Prospects

Will people he comes across still acknowledge him? Will they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Might they say Mr,

Certainly, he is not retiring to an ordinary town, but to the royal family's extensive estate at a monarchical property.

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

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

Pending Matters

The situation continues. There are still files in the hands of US Congress to be made public.

• Political Pressure: Could parliament demand more
• Financial Investigation: Or investigate the waste of state resources
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a police investigation into his behavior

Perhaps for the present the harm to the monarchy to the monarchy is restricted. The narrative from the institution was clearly that the stripping of honorifics was what the monarch, and notably other senior royals, sought.

A Shift in Position

An end to illusion that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, significantly, the concise announcement showed clearly that the royals were supporting the complainant's account of events.

Furthermore, for the first time they ultimately showed consideration for the survivors: "The measures are considered essential, despite the reality that he maintains his innocence of the claims against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, self-interest and indolence that will undermine the crown. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and venality, Andrew seems never to have grasped that truth.