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The saga started with a isolated photograph, possibly the most impactful ever taken of a member of the monarchy.

Present was the Earl of Inverness, standing closely beside a teenage girl, while an associate beamed suggestively in the rear.

Without that image, shot at a gathering in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a teenager who declared she was moved across the Atlantic and compelled to have perfunctory relations with a individual of the monarchy?

A strange, telling move by someone who had openly claimed to have no known about her, asserted he could not have had intimate contact with her, and yet provided a large amount of his mother's money to resolve a long-delayed legal case.

Over a Decade of Scandal

In this context, discussions of the monarchy acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are wide of the mark. This controversy has continued for the largest portion of 15 years since that photograph, and a further photo of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a disgraced financier came to light.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his relatives, realize that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Problematic Connections: They must have realized, if his aides and the authorities were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable companions given he openly invited them to estates.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the household did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Travel were listed in royal annual reports: private aircraft flights from the palace to a sporting venue and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of scheduled services, all for the comfort of "the travel enthusiast".

World of Deference

Furthermore the entitlement which demanded subservience when he walked into a room or the profound awareness about his royal titles used on his official documents in messages to his associates.

He avoided accountability while his parent, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still surviving. The Queen did at least remove him of official roles and ceremonial ranks in the aftermath of his ill-fated and, it is now clear, deceptive public statement six years ago.

Latest Events

It was only in the last 14 days that events sped up, following the publication of biographical works giving more troubling information 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 interaction with a notorious figure.

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

Royal Worries

The wiser royals understood that. The one imperative is to hand down the monarchy, if not as heretofore at least intact and unblemished.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to overcome the image of previous monarchs, demonstrating they are beneficial, accountable and attentive to their citizens.

His actions endangered all that in danger in an era when respect and discretion is no longer sufficient.

Consequences

Ultimately, the famously indecisive monarch was pushed further. There was no other option. The institution had lost control of the story.

Presently the removal of honorifics and the continued and permanent public humiliation that will pain Andrew most deeply.

• Downgrading: Lowered to just a commoner
• Past Example: The initial member to surrender his titles in contemporary era
• Military Service: Particularly painful given his duty in the conflict

He continues to be a constitutional officer, theoretically able to act for the monarch, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but not any of these will actually occur.

Coming Developments

Can persons he encounters still acknowledge him? Could they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Would they say Andrew,

Of course, he is not retiring to a common area, but to the royal family's large property at Sandringham.

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

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

Pending Matters

This is not over. There are still documents in the hands of overseas authorities to be revealed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Will parliament request additional information
• Fiscal Review: Or investigate the waste of taxpayer funds
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a criminal probe into his conduct

Perhaps for the moment the institutional damage to the institution is limited. The message from the palace was clearly that the stripping of honorifics was what the monarch, and especially other senior family members, desired.

Altered Approach

No more deception that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, notably, the concise announcement showed evidently that the royals were siding with the complainant's account of incidents.

Additionally, for the premiere occasion they finally showed consideration for the victims: "The censures are judged required, regardless of the reality that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

Finally it is presumption, self-interest and indolence that will undermine the institution. In his foolishness, personal excess and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that truth.