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

Present was the Baron Killyleagh, arm-in-arm a female youth, while another individual smiled conspiratorially in the rear.

Without that snapshot, captured at a gathering in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the allegations of a adolescent who declared she was trafficked across the sea and compelled to have brief intimate contact with a prince of the royal family?

An odd, telling gesture by someone who had openly asserted to have no been aware of her, claimed he could no have had relations with her, and yet handed over millions of family funds to settle a protracted court action.

Years of Disgrace

In this context, conversations of the royal family acting firmly to distance themselves from Andrew are inaccurate. This controversy has persisted for the better part of 15 years since that picture, and another photo of Andrew strolling amiably with a notorious individual emerged.

• Hubris: How long did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his relatives, realize that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have realized, if his staff and the authorities were fulfilling their roles, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he publicly invited them to estates.
• Monetary Excess: If the family did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Travel were documented in public records: private aircraft travel from the royal residence to a golf course 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 arrogance which expected respect when he entered a area or the supreme awareness about his designations used on his official documents in messages to his associates.

He avoided accountability while his matriarch, who strangely pampered him, was still alive. The sovereign did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and honorary colonelcies in the wake of his ill-fated and, as revealed, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the release of accounts giving more troubling particulars of his behavior and that of his associates.

More information have again highlighted Andrew's belief that he could escape deceiving about his contact with a convicted criminal.

Society (and the media) were far more perceptive of the royals. There was no one of any significance to speak up for him, a outcome of all those years of arrogance.

Royal Worries

The more astute family members recognized that. The one imperative is to transfer the crown, if not as heretofore at least whole and unblemished.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of earlier rulers, proving they are useful, responsible and attentive to their subjects.

His actions endangered all that in danger in an time when respect and secrecy is no longer enough.

Consequences

Finally, the well-known uncertain monarch was pushed further. There was no other option. The royal household had lost control of the narrative.

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

• Reduction: Lowered to just a private citizen
• Historical Precedent: The first member to forfeit his designations in recent history
• Military Service: Particularly hurtful given his role in the Falklands war

He is still a counsellor of state, theoretically able to act for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the monarchy, but neither of these will actually come to pass.

Coming Developments

Will people he meets still acknowledge him? Could they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Might they say Sir,

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

There, he will be provided by the monarch with one of the royal residences and given some form of personal stipend.

It is not his previous residence, 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.

Unresolved Issues

This is not over. There are still documents in the hands of American legislators to be revealed.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Could legislators request additional information
• Financial Investigation: Or scrutinize the improper use of public money
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his actions

Perhaps for the time being the reputational impact to the institution is restricted. The statement from the institution was evidently that the removal of titles was what the monarch, and particularly other senior family members, wanted.

A Shift in Position

No more illusion that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, notably, the concise statement showed evidently that the institution were aligning with the victim's narrative of occurrences.

Even more, for the premiere occasion they eventually showed regard for the victims: "The censures are considered essential, despite the reality that he continues to deny the claims against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, selfishness and inactivity that will undermine the monarchy. In his foolishness, personal excess and greed, Andrew appears never to have learned that truth.