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This episode commenced with a single photograph, perhaps the most impactful ever snapped of a individual from the royal household.

Present was the Earl of Inverness, arm-in-arm a young woman, while a companion smiled suggestively in the background.

Absent that snapshot, captured at a gathering in 2001, who would have believed the allegations of a young woman who declared she was transported across the ocean and compelled to have cursory relations with a individual of the monarchy?

A curious, indicative gesture by someone who had openly stated to have never heard of her, said he could no have had intimate contact with her, and yet provided millions of family resources to avert a drawn-out legal case.

Years of Scandal

Considering this, discussions of the monarchy acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are misguided. This scandal has endured for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and a further image of Andrew strolling amiably with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Hubris: To what extent did his siblings, possibly even his parents, realize that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his aides and the law enforcement were doing their jobs, that he had some highly questionable companions given he publicly invited them to palaces.
• Financial Extravagance: If the family did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his overspending with taxpayer funds.

Travel were documented in official documents: chopper travel from the palace to a golf course and back again in time for lunch, chartered planes instead of scheduled services, all for the comfort of "the frequent flyer".

Existence of Entitlement

Furthermore the presumption which required deference when he entered a area or the supreme consciousness about his royal titles used on his official documents in letters to his friends.

He could get away with it while his parent, who strangely spoiled him, was still alive. The Queen did at least strip him of public duties and honorary colonelcies in the aftermath of his disastrous and, as revealed, mendacious television interview six years ago.

Current Situation

Merely in the last 14 days that events accelerated, following the issuance of biographical works giving more disturbing information of his conduct and that of his connections.

Further disclosures have again highlighted Andrew's assumption that he could escape lying about his interaction with a convicted criminal.

People (and the journalists) were far in advance of the royals. There was no one of any significance to support him, a consequence of all those years of arrogance.

Royal Worries

The wiser family members understood that. The key objective is to transfer the institution, if not as before at least intact and unstained.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of previous monarchs, showing they are useful, accountable and responsive to their citizens.

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

The Fallout

Finally, the famously indecisive sovereign was prodded more. There was no alternative. The royal household had surrendered command of the narrative.

Now it is the loss of titles and the persistent and life-long social disgrace that will pain Andrew most severely.

• Demotion: Demoted to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Prior Instance: The initial royal to lose his titles in modern times
• Armed Forces: Particularly hurtful given his role in the conflict

He remains a counsellor of state, theoretically able to act for the king, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but neither of these will actually happen.

Future Prospects

Will people he comes across still acknowledge him? Will they still make mistakes and call him Your Highness? Will they even say Mr,

Certainly, he is not moving to an ordinary town, but to the monarchy's vast property at a royal residence.

At that location, he will be supplied by the king with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of personal stipend.

It is not his previous residence, where he paid a minimal lease for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit remote, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed.

Outstanding Concerns

This is not over. There are still records in the custody of American legislators to be made public.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Could legislators request additional information
• Financial Investigation: Or examine the improper use of state resources
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his actions

Possibly for the present the harm to the monarchy to the institution is limited. The narrative from the institution was plainly that the revocation of designations was what the monarch, and particularly other senior royals, wanted.

Changed Stance

The cessation of pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, notably, the concise statement showed evidently that the royals were supporting the accuser's account of incidents.

Additionally, for the first time they finally showed regard for the survivors: "These actions are considered essential, notwithstanding the fact that he persists in refuting the allegations against him."

Ultimately it is presumption, selfishness and inactivity that will undermine the crown. In his folly, self-indulgence and venality, Andrew seems never to have learned that truth.