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This episode commenced with a solitary photograph, arguably the most impactful ever captured of a royal family member.

Present was the Baron Killyleagh, arm-in-arm a young woman, while another individual smiled knowingly in the background.

Absent that image, shot at a gathering in 2001, who would have believed the allegations of a adolescent who said she was transported across the ocean and obliged to have perfunctory sexual encounters with a individual of the royal bloodline?

A curious, indicative gesture by someone who had publicly stated to have never heard of her, said he could never have had relations with her, and yet provided a substantial sum of monarchical resources to settle a long-delayed legal case.

Years of Disgrace

Against this backdrop, talk of the royals acting decisively to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This scandal has endured for the majority of 15 years since that photograph, and a further image of Andrew strolling congenially with a convicted sex offender emerged.

• Self-importance: For what duration did his siblings, maybe even his mother and father, know that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have realized, if his employees and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some extremely unsavory friends given he openly welcomed them to estates.
• Monetary Excess: If the family did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources.

Trips were documented in public records: helicopter travel from the estate to a golf course and back again in time for dining, exclusive air travel instead of commercial flights, all for the comfort of "Airmiles Andy".

Existence of Entitlement

Additionally the entitlement which demanded deference when he walked into a space or the supreme consciousness about his honorifics used on his official documents in communication to his associates.

He could get away with it while his parent, who inexplicably pampered him, was still alive. The sovereign did at least strip him of public duties and military positions in the aftermath of his ill-fated and, as revealed, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

Just in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the issuance of accounts giving more troubling details of his conduct and that of his companions.

Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could avoid being untruthful about his contact with a convicted criminal.

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

Institutional Fears

The more intelligent family members understood that. The primary concern is to hand down the monarchy, if not as heretofore at least whole and unblemished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to reverse the reputation of earlier rulers, showing they are useful, accountable and attentive to their citizens.

Andrew was putting all that in danger in an time when respect and privacy is no longer enough.

The Fallout

Ultimately, the famously indecisive monarch was pressured further. There was no alternative. The palace had relinquished authority of the story.

Currently the loss of titles and the persistent and permanent public humiliation that will hurt Andrew most deeply.

• Downgrading: Reduced to just a commoner
• Past Example: The primary monarch to forfeit his titles in modern times
• Naval Career: Especially hurtful given his duty in the engagement

He is still a counsellor of state, theoretically able to stand in for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the throne, but not any of these will truly occur.

What Lies Ahead

Can persons he meets still acknowledge him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Will they even say Andrew,

Of course, he is not moving to an ordinary town, but to the monarchy's vast estate at a monarchical property.

In that place, he will be supplied by the king with one of the estate properties and given some type of personal stipend.

This is not his former home, where he paid a minimal payment for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit far, but even so it may not be far enough.

Pending Matters

Matters remain unresolved. There are still files in the hands of overseas authorities to be disclosed.

• Political Pressure: Will legislators demand more
• Monetary Probe: Or scrutinize the misuse of state resources
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a police investigation into his behavior

Possibly for the moment the harm to the monarchy to the monarchy is contained. The statement from the royal household was evidently that the stripping of titles was what the king, and notably other senior royals, desired.

A Shift in Position

No more illusion that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, remarkably, the brief statement showed plainly that the royals were siding with the victim's account of occurrences.

Even more, for the premiere occasion they eventually showed concern for the victims: "The measures are considered essential, notwithstanding the reality that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

Ultimately it is presumption, self-interest and laziness that will undermine the crown. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and greed, Andrew appears never to have understood that reality.