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

In the frame appeared the Earl of Inverness, with his arm around a teenage girl, while a companion beamed conspiratorially in the rear.

Absent that image, shot at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the assertions of a adolescent who stated she was trafficked across the sea and forced to have cursory relations with a individual of the royal family?

An odd, revealing gesture by someone who had overtly claimed to have not heard of her, claimed he could no have had sex with her, and yet provided millions of family money to avert a long-delayed lawsuit.

A Long Period of Scandal

In this context, discussions of the royals acting decisively to cut Andrew off are wide of the mark. This controversy has persisted for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and a further snapshot of Andrew strolling amiably with a disgraced financier emerged.

• Hubris: For what duration did his brothers and sisters, maybe even his mother and father, realize that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Questionable Associations: They must have known, if his staff and the law enforcement were doing their jobs, that he had some highly questionable associates given he openly welcomed them to palaces.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the monarchy did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Trips were listed in royal annual reports: helicopter transfers from the estate to a country club and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of commercial flights, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

Existence of Entitlement

Then there was the presumption which required subservience when he appeared in a room or the supreme awareness about his honorifics used on his letterheads in communication to his associates.

He avoided accountability while his parent, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still living. The monarch did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and honorary colonelcies in the consequence of his disastrous and, as revealed, mendacious public statement six years ago.

Recent Developments

Merely in the last two weeks that events accelerated, following the release of books giving more disturbing information of his actions and that of his connections.

Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's assumption that he could avoid lying about his contact with a notorious figure.

The public (and the journalists) were far more perceptive of the royal family. There was no one of any importance to defend him, a consequence of all those years of hubris.

Royal Worries

The more astute monarchical figures recognized that. The primary concern is to hand down the institution, if not as previously at least complete and untarnished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to reverse the image of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are valuable, dutiful and responsive to their citizens.

He was placing all that in danger in an era when submission and secrecy is no longer adequate.

Consequences

Ultimately, the famously hesitant monarch was prodded additional. There was little choice. The institution had lost control of the account.

Presently the loss of titles and the continued and lifetime personal shame that will pain Andrew most deeply.

• Demotion: Reduced to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Historical Precedent: The initial monarch to surrender his titles in contemporary era
• Armed Forces: Notably stinging given his duty in the engagement

He remains a royal advisor, theoretically able to stand in for the monarch, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but neither of these will ever occur.

Future Prospects

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

Naturally, he is not moving to a common area, but to the monarchy's vast estate at a monarchical property.

There, he will be provided by the king with one of the royal residences and given some type of financial support.

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

Pending Matters

Matters remain unresolved. There are still records in the possession of US Congress to be revealed.

• Political Pressure: Will lawmakers seek further action
• Monetary Probe: Or investigate the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a police investigation into his conduct

Maybe for the time being the institutional damage to the crown is limited. The message from the institution was evidently that the stripping of titles was what the monarch, and particularly other senior family members, sought.

Altered Approach

The cessation of illusion that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the brief communication showed evidently that the royals were aligning with the victim's narrative of incidents.

Additionally, for the initial instance they finally showed concern for the affected individuals: "The measures are considered essential, notwithstanding the reality that he maintains his innocence of the accusations against him."

Ultimately it is presumption, selfishness and laziness that will kill the monarchy. In his stupidity, self-indulgence and corruption, Andrew seems never to have learned that truth.