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The saga started with a single photograph, arguably the most impactful ever taken of a royal family member.

There stood the Earl of Inverness, with his arm around a female youth, while another individual grinned suggestively in the rear.

Absent that image, captured at a social event in 2001, few would have credited the allegations of a adolescent who said she was transported across the sea and obliged to have brief intimate contact with a individual of the monarchy?

A curious, telling action by someone who had openly claimed to have not been aware of her, claimed he could never have had relations with her, and yet handed over a large amount of monarchical resources to settle a protracted lawsuit.

Years of Controversy

In this context, talk of the monarchy acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This affair has continued for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and another image of Andrew ambling congenially with a disgraced financier emerged.

• Arrogance: How long did his siblings, perhaps even his parents, realize that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Problematic Connections: They must have understood, if his staff and the police were doing their jobs, that he had some highly questionable companions given he openly welcomed them to palaces.
• Financial Extravagance: If the monarchy did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Journeys were listed in public records: private aircraft travel from the estate to a sporting venue and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of scheduled services, all for the convenience of "Airmiles Andy".

A Life of Privilege

Then there was the entitlement which expected deference when he walked into a area or the profound obsession about his royal titles used on his official documents in letters to his friends.

He could get away with it while his parent, who inexplicably spoiled him, was still alive. The monarch did at least revoke him of public duties and military positions in the aftermath of his disastrous and, we now know, mendacious public statement six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last two weeks that events progressed rapidly, following the publication of biographical works giving more troubling particulars of his behavior and that of his companions.

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

People (and the press) were far more perceptive of the monarchy. There was not a single person of any significance to speak up for him, a result of all those years of hubris.

Monarchical Concerns

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

Over time the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of earlier rulers, proving they are beneficial, responsible and responsive to their subjects.

His actions endangered all that in danger in an era when submission and privacy is no longer enough.

Consequences

Eventually, the well-known hesitant sovereign was pressured further. There was little choice. The palace had surrendered command of the story.

Currently the removal of titles and the persistent and permanent public humiliation that will pain Andrew most deeply.

• Demotion: Reduced to just a private citizen
• Past Example: The initial monarch to surrender his honorifics in recent history
• Armed Forces: Notably hurtful given his duty in the conflict

He continues to be a royal advisor, theoretically able to stand in for the sovereign, and he is still in the lineage to the throne, but neither of these will actually come to pass.

Future Prospects

Do individuals he meets still defer to him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Will they even say Mr,

Of course, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the monarchy's large estate at a royal residence.

In that place, he will be provided by the sovereign with one of the royal residences and given some sort of financial support.

It is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a token rent for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit far, but even so it may not be far enough.

Outstanding Concerns

This is not over. There are still records in the hands of US Congress to be made public.

• Parliamentary Interest: Will legislators request additional information
• Monetary Probe: Or examine the misuse of state resources
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior

Perhaps for the time being the reputational impact to the monarchy is restricted. The narrative from the institution was clearly that the revocation of titles was what the sovereign, and especially other senior family members, wanted.

Altered Approach

An end to illusion that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, significantly, the brief statement showed clearly that the institution were siding with the complainant's version of events.

Furthermore, for the first time they finally showed regard for the affected individuals: "The measures are considered essential, notwithstanding the reality that he continues to deny the accusations against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, self-interest and indolence that will destroy the monarchy. In his stupidity, self-gratification and venality, Andrew appears never to have understood that lesson.