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This episode commenced with a isolated photograph, perhaps the most impactful ever captured of a member of the monarchy.

In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, arm-in-arm a teenage girl, while a companion grinned conspiratorially in the rear.

Lacking that snapshot, taken at a gathering in 2001, who would have believed the claims of a young woman who stated she was transported across the ocean and forced to have cursory sexual encounters with a member of the royal bloodline?

An odd, revealing gesture by someone who had overtly claimed to have never heard of her, said he could no have had relations with her, and yet handed over a large amount of family funds to resolve a long-delayed lawsuit.

Years of Scandal

Considering this, discussions of the monarchy acting decisively to cut Andrew off are wide of the mark. This scandal has endured for the better part of 15 years since that picture, and a further photo of Andrew walking congenially with a disgraced financier emerged.

• Self-importance: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his parents, know that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Questionable Associations: They must have understood, if his aides and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some extremely unsavory associates given he unabashedly invited them to royal residences.
• Monetary Excess: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds.

Journeys were documented in royal annual reports: chopper travel from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for lunch, private flights instead of regular transport, all for the convenience of "Airmiles Andy".

World of Deference

Then there was the entitlement which expected respect when he entered a room or the supreme awareness about his royal titles used on his letterheads in messages to his personal acquaintances.

He managed to escape consequences while his mother, who inexplicably spoiled him, was still surviving. The monarch did at least strip him of official roles and ceremonial ranks in the wake of his disastrous and, as revealed, deceptive media appearance six years ago.

Latest Events

Just in the last two weeks that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of books giving more disturbing particulars of his conduct and that of his companions.

Additional revelations have again revealed Andrew's thinking that he could get away with lying about his relationship with a notorious figure.

Society (and the journalists) were far ahead of the monarchy. There was not a single person of any importance to speak up for him, a result of all those years of hubris.

Monarchical Concerns

The more intelligent royals understood that. The key objective is to transfer the institution, if not as previously at least intact and untarnished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of earlier rulers, proving they are useful, dutiful and responsive to their citizens.

He was placing all that in peril in an era when deference and discretion is no longer enough.

Consequences

Ultimately, the famously hesitant king was pressured further. There was little choice. The royal household had relinquished authority of the story.

Presently the removal of honorifics and the continued and life-long public humiliation that will afflict Andrew most severely.

• Demotion: Reduced to just a private citizen
• Past Example: The first monarch to surrender his designations in modern times
• Naval Career: Particularly painful given his duty in the Falklands war

He remains a counsellor of state, in principle 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.

Future Prospects

Do individuals he encounters still acknowledge him? Might they still slip up and call him Prince? Would they say Andrew,

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

At that location, he will be supplied by the king with one of the royal residences and given some sort of personal stipend.

This differs from his previous residence, where he paid a minimal rent for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit remote, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Pending Matters

The situation continues. There are still records in the possession of overseas authorities to be revealed.

• Political Pressure: Might lawmakers request additional information
• Fiscal Review: Or examine the misuse of state resources
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a police investigation into his behavior

Maybe for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the crown is limited. The narrative from the palace was clearly that the stripping of designations was what the monarch, and especially other senior family members, desired.

Changed Stance

The cessation of deception that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, remarkably, the short announcement showed plainly that the royals were siding with the victim's narrative of occurrences.

Additionally, for the initial instance they finally showed regard for the survivors: "The censures are judged required, regardless of the fact that he maintains his innocence of the claims against him."

Ultimately it is presumption, self-seeking and indolence that will destroy the monarchy. In his stupidity, self-gratification and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that reality.