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It all began with a isolated photograph, perhaps the most significant ever taken of a royal family member.

In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a young woman, while another individual smiled conspiratorially in the rear.

Lacking that image, taken at a gathering in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a adolescent who stated she was transported across the Atlantic and obliged to have cursory relations with a member of the royal family?

A curious, revealing action by someone who had openly asserted to have not been aware of her, asserted he could no have had relations with her, and yet provided a large amount of monarchical money to settle a long-delayed legal case.

Over a Decade of Disgrace

Considering this, discussions of the royal family acting firmly to distance themselves from Andrew are wide of the mark. This scandal has endured for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and another snapshot of Andrew ambling amiably with a notorious individual came to light.

• Self-importance: To what extent did his siblings, possibly even his parents, understand that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have known, if his employees and the authorities were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable companions given he unabashedly hosted them to estates.
• Financial Extravagance: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds.

Journeys were listed in royal annual reports: chopper flights from the royal residence to a country club and back again in time for lunch, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the convenience of "Airmiles Andy".

A Life of Privilege

Then there was the arrogance which demanded respect when he walked into a room or the profound consciousness about his honorifics used on his letterheads in letters to his friends.

He could get away with it while his matriarch, who strangely spoiled him, was still living. The sovereign did at least remove him of official roles and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his ill-fated and, it is now clear, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Latest Events

Merely in the last two weeks that events sped up, following the publication of books giving more troubling particulars of his behavior and that of his companions.

More information have again revealed Andrew's assumption that he could get away with being untruthful about his relationship with a notorious figure.

The public (and the media) were far ahead of the royal family. There was nobody of any consequence to support him, a result of all those years of arrogance.

Institutional Fears

The more astute monarchical figures understood that. The key objective is to hand down the crown, if not as before at least whole and untarnished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of previous monarchs, proving they are valuable, accountable and attentive to their citizens.

He was placing all that in peril in an time when respect and secrecy is no longer adequate.

Aftermath

Finally, the well-known uncertain king was prodded further. There was no other option. The institution had relinquished authority of the story.

Presently the removal of designations and the continued and permanent personal shame that will hurt Andrew the most.

• Downgrading: Reduced to just a commoner
• Past Example: The initial member to forfeit his titles in contemporary era
• Armed Forces: Especially hurtful given his role in the engagement

He continues to be a counsellor of state, in principle able to act for the king, and he is still eighth in line to the monarchy, but neither of these will actually happen.

What Lies Ahead

Will people he comes across still show respect to him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Would they say Andrew,

Certainly, he is not moving to an ordinary town, but to the monarchy's large estate at a monarchical property.

In that place, he will be furnished by the king with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of private allowance.

It is not his previous residence, where he paid a token lease for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit distant, but even so it may not be far enough.

Outstanding Concerns

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

• Governmental Scrutiny: Will lawmakers seek further action
• Monetary Probe: Or scrutinize the misuse of public money
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a criminal probe into his conduct

Maybe for the moment the reputational impact to the institution is contained. The message from the palace was plainly that the removal of honorifics was what the king, and especially other senior monarchical figures, sought.

A Shift in Position

The cessation of pretence that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, notably, the concise statement showed clearly that the monarchy were supporting the complainant's narrative of occurrences.

Furthermore, for the first time they ultimately showed concern for the victims: "The censures are judged required, despite the reality that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

In the end it is presumption, selfishness and indolence that will destroy the institution. In his folly, personal excess and venality, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that truth.