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It all began with a isolated photograph, arguably the most consequential ever snapped of a member of the monarchy.

Present was the Earl of Inverness, arm-in-arm a young woman, while an associate smiled knowingly in the backdrop.

Without that snapshot, shot at a gathering in 2001, few would have credited the allegations of a teenager who stated she was moved across the sea and obliged to have cursory intimate contact with a member of the royal bloodline?

A curious, telling gesture by someone who had openly claimed to have not known about her, said he could not have had intimate contact with her, and yet provided a substantial sum of family money to resolve a protracted lawsuit.

Years of Controversy

Considering this, discussions of the royals acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This scandal has persisted for the better part of 15 years since that image, and an additional photo of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a convicted sex offender emerged.

• Self-importance: To what extent did his family members, maybe even his parents, know that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his staff and the authorities were doing their jobs, that he had some deeply disreputable associates given he openly invited them to estates.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the monarchy did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with state resources.

Travel were listed in public records: helicopter travel from the royal residence to a golf course and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "Airmiles Andy".

World of Deference

Furthermore the entitlement which required subservience when he appeared in a area or the profound awareness about his royal titles used on his letterheads in communication to his personal acquaintances.

He managed to escape consequences while his matriarch, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still alive. The Queen did at least remove him of official roles and military positions in the aftermath of his catastrophic and, it is now clear, deceptive public statement six years ago.

Recent Developments

It was only in the last two weeks that events sped up, following the release of books giving more grim details of his actions and that of his connections.

More information have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could get away with being untruthful about his contact with a convicted criminal.

People (and the journalists) were far in advance of the monarchy. There was no one of any importance to speak up for him, a consequence of all those years of presumption.

Institutional Fears

The more astute monarchical figures understood that. The one imperative is to hand down the institution, if not as previously at least whole and unstained.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to overcome the legacy of earlier rulers, demonstrating they are valuable, dutiful and attentive to their citizens.

He was placing all that in danger in an age when deference and secrecy is no longer enough.

Aftermath

Ultimately, the notoriously indecisive sovereign was pushed more. There was no other option. The institution had relinquished authority of the story.

Currently the loss of designations and the persistent and life-long personal shame that will pain Andrew the most.

• Reduction: Demoted to just a private citizen
• Historical Precedent: The first monarch to surrender his designations in recent history
• Military Service: Particularly stinging given his service in the Falklands war

He remains a royal advisor, in principle able to act for the sovereign, and he is still in the lineage to the monarchy, but not any of these will truly occur.

What Lies Ahead

Can persons he meets still show respect to him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Will they even say Sir,

Certainly, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the royal family's vast property at Sandringham.

In that place, he will be furnished by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some sort of personal stipend.

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

Outstanding Concerns

The situation continues. There are still files in the possession of US Congress to be disclosed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Could parliament seek further action
• Financial Investigation: Or investigate the waste of taxpayer funds
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a police investigation into his behavior

Possibly for the present the institutional damage to the crown is limited. The narrative from the royal household was plainly that the removal of titles was what the sovereign, and especially other senior monarchical figures, desired.

Changed Stance

No more deception that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, notably, the concise communication showed plainly that the monarchy were supporting the complainant's account of occurrences.

Even more, for the initial instance they eventually showed consideration for the survivors: "These actions are judged required, notwithstanding the reality that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

In the end it is entitlement, self-interest and laziness that will kill the crown. In his stupidity, self-gratification and greed, Andrew appears never to have understood that lesson.