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This episode commenced with a solitary photograph, perhaps the most consequential ever snapped of a royal family member.

Present was the Earl of Inverness, arm-in-arm a female youth, while an associate beamed conspiratorially in the backdrop.

Without that image, captured at a social event in 2001, who would have believed the allegations of a young woman who stated she was moved across the ocean and forced to have brief sexual encounters with a individual of the monarchy?

A strange, indicative gesture by someone who had openly asserted to have never been aware of her, said he could never have had sex with her, and yet paid a substantial sum of his mother's money to avert a drawn-out court action.

Years of Controversy

In this context, talk of the monarchy acting decisively to sever ties with Andrew are misguided. This scandal has persisted for the largest portion of 15 years since that picture, and another snapshot of Andrew walking pleasantly with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Arrogance: For what duration did his siblings, perhaps even his parents, know that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Questionable Associations: They must have understood, if his staff and the authorities were doing their jobs, that he had some extremely unsavory friends given he openly hosted them to palaces.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the monarchy did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with state resources.

Journeys were printed in official documents: private aircraft transfers from the royal residence to a golf course and back again in time for midday meal, private flights instead of regular transport, all for the convenience of "the travel enthusiast".

World of Deference

Additionally the entitlement which demanded respect when he appeared in a space or the profound awareness about his royal titles used on his official documents in messages to his associates.

He managed to escape consequences while his mother, who inexplicably pampered him, was still alive. The monarch did at least remove him of public duties and ceremonial ranks in the wake of his catastrophic and, we now know, untruthful television interview six years ago.

Recent Developments

It was only in the last 14 days that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of books giving more disturbing particulars of his actions and that of his connections.

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

People (and the journalists) were far in advance of the royals. There was no one of any significance to speak up for him, a outcome of all those years of hubris.

Monarchical Concerns

The more astute monarchical figures realized that. The one imperative is to transfer the monarchy, if not as heretofore at least intact and unstained.

Over time the last 190 years trying to overcome the reputation of earlier rulers, demonstrating they are beneficial, responsible and responsive to their people.

He was placing all that in danger in an age when respect and discretion is no longer sufficient.

Aftermath

Eventually, the well-known indecisive monarch was pushed more. There was no other option. The institution had surrendered command of the narrative.

Presently the stripping of honorifics and the persistent and permanent social disgrace that will afflict Andrew most deeply.

• Demotion: Demoted to just a private citizen
• Historical Precedent: The first member to forfeit his honorifics in recent history
• Military Service: Especially hurtful given his service in the Falklands war

He remains a royal advisor, in principle able to substitute for the king, and he is still eighth in line to the crown, but not any of these will ever happen.

Coming Developments

Will people he comes across still acknowledge him? Could they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Might they say Andrew,

Certainly, he is not retiring to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's large grounds at a monarchical property.

In that place, he will be provided by the monarch with one of the estate properties and given some form of financial support.

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

Outstanding Concerns

This is not over. There are still files in the possession of American legislators to be revealed.

• Political Pressure: Might lawmakers request additional information
• Monetary Probe: Or examine the waste of state resources
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a police investigation into his actions

Perhaps for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the crown is restricted. The narrative from the royal household was plainly that the revocation of designations was what the sovereign, and especially other senior family members, sought.

Altered Approach

The cessation of illusion that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the short announcement showed evidently that the institution were aligning with the accuser's narrative of incidents.

Additionally, for the premiere occasion they eventually showed concern for the victims: "The censures are considered essential, regardless of the truth that he persists in refuting the accusations against him."

Finally it is entitlement, selfishness and indolence that will destroy the crown. In his folly, self-gratification and venality, Andrew appears never to have learned that truth.