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The saga started with a single photograph, perhaps the most significant ever snapped of a member of the monarchy.

Present was the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a teenage girl, while another individual grinned conspiratorially in the background.

Absent that photograph, taken at a party in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a adolescent who stated she was moved across the sea and compelled to have brief relations with a member of the royal bloodline?

A strange, revealing gesture by someone who had openly claimed to have never been aware of her, said he could no have had intimate contact with her, and yet handed over a large amount of family funds to avert a drawn-out lawsuit.

A Long Period of Disgrace

Considering this, conversations of the monarchy acting swiftly to cut Andrew off are wide of the mark. This scandal has continued for the majority of 15 years since that image, and another photo of Andrew walking pleasantly with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, possibly even his relatives, know that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have known, if his staff and the police were doing their jobs, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he unabashedly invited them to estates.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the monarchy did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his overspending with taxpayer funds.

Journeys were printed in royal annual reports: private aircraft travel from the palace to a golf course and back again in time for dining, private flights instead of regular transport, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

Existence of Entitlement

Additionally the entitlement which required respect when he appeared in a area or the profound obsession about his honorifics used on his official documents in communication to his associates.

He managed to escape consequences while his matriarch, who inexplicably indulged him, was still alive. The Queen did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the consequence of his ill-fated and, we now know, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Recent Developments

It was only in the last two weeks that events sped up, following the release of books giving more disturbing particulars of his behavior and that of his associates.

More information have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could avoid deceiving about his contact with a notorious figure.

The public (and the media) were far ahead of the royals. There was no one of any importance to defend him, a outcome of all those years of arrogance.

Institutional Fears

The more astute monarchical figures recognized that. The key objective is to pass on the institution, if not as previously at least whole and unstained.

Over time the last 190 years trying to overcome the image of earlier rulers, proving they are useful, accountable and responsive to their citizens.

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

The Fallout

Ultimately, the well-known hesitant king was prodded additional. There was no other option. The palace had relinquished authority of the account.

Presently the loss of titles and the ongoing and permanent social disgrace that will afflict Andrew the most.

• Reduction: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Past Example: The primary member to forfeit his honorifics in recent history
• Armed Forces: Particularly painful given his duty in the conflict

He continues to be a counsellor of state, on paper able to stand in for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but neither of these will truly happen.

Coming Developments

Will people he comes across still defer to him? Might they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Would they say Sir,

Of course, he is not moving to a common area, but to the royal family's vast property at a monarchical property.

There, he will be furnished by the monarch with one of the grace and favour houses and given some form of private allowance.

This differs from his former home, where he paid a token lease for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit far, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Outstanding Concerns

The situation continues. There are still records in the custody of US Congress to be revealed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Will parliament seek further action
• Monetary Probe: Or scrutinize the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a criminal probe into his actions

Maybe for the time being the reputational impact to the crown is restricted. The message from the institution was clearly that the revocation of honorifics was what the sovereign, and especially other senior royals, wanted.

A Shift in Position

No more illusion that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, remarkably, the brief communication showed evidently that the royals were siding with the accuser's version of events.

Furthermore, for the initial instance they ultimately showed consideration for the survivors: "The censures are deemed necessary, despite the truth that he maintains his innocence of the allegations against him."

In the end it is presumption, selfishness and inactivity that will destroy the institution. In his foolishness, self-gratification and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that truth.