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This episode commenced with a isolated photograph, possibly the most significant ever captured of a member of the monarchy.

Present was the Earl of Inverness, arm-in-arm a female youth, while another individual grinned knowingly in the rear.

Absent that image, taken at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a adolescent who declared she was trafficked across the sea and obliged to have brief relations with a individual of the royal family?

A curious, telling action by someone who had overtly claimed to have not heard of her, claimed he could not have had relations with her, and yet handed over a large amount of monarchical funds to settle a long-delayed legal case.

Over a Decade of Controversy

In this context, discussions of the royals acting swiftly to distance themselves from Andrew are wide of the mark. This affair has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that picture, and a further snapshot of Andrew strolling congenially with a convicted sex offender emerged.

• Arrogance: How long did his brothers and sisters, possibly even his parents, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Questionable Associations: They must have understood, if his aides and the law enforcement were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable associates given he publicly hosted them to royal residences.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with state resources.

Travel were listed in public records: chopper travel from the royal residence to a country club and back again in time for dining, exclusive air travel instead of regular transport, all for the comfort of "the frequent flyer".

Existence of Entitlement

Furthermore the entitlement which expected respect when he appeared in a space or the extreme consciousness about his honorifics used on his letterheads in letters to his personal acquaintances.

He could get away with it while his matriarch, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still alive. The monarch did at least strip him of royal responsibilities and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his ill-fated and, we now know, untruthful public statement six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the release of biographical works giving more troubling information of his conduct and that of his companions.

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

Society (and the media) were far more perceptive of the royals. There was no one of any consequence to support him, a result of all those years of hubris.

Monarchical Concerns

The wiser family members understood that. The one imperative is to pass on the monarchy, if not as previously at least complete and unstained.

Over time the last 190 years trying to overcome the legacy of previous monarchs, demonstrating they are useful, responsible and responsive to their people.

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

The Fallout

Ultimately, the famously indecisive monarch was prodded further. There was little choice. The palace had surrendered command of the narrative.

Currently the removal of designations and the persistent and life-long personal shame that will hurt Andrew the most.

• Reduction: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Prior Instance: The primary member to forfeit his titles in contemporary era
• Naval Career: Notably hurtful given his service in the conflict

He continues to be a constitutional officer, on paper able to substitute for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the throne, but none of these will ever occur.

What Lies Ahead

Will people he encounters still show respect to him? Might they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Will they even say Mr,

Naturally, he is not withdrawing to suburbia, but to the royal family's large property at a royal residence.

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

This is not his former home, 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 far enough.

Unresolved Issues

The situation continues. There are still files in the custody of American legislators to be disclosed.

• Political Pressure: Will legislators demand more
• Fiscal Review: Or examine the misuse of state resources
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a criminal probe into his actions

Possibly for the present the institutional damage to the crown is limited. The narrative from the royal household was plainly that the revocation of titles was what the sovereign, and notably other senior royals, sought.

Changed Stance

An end to illusion that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, significantly, the short statement showed clearly that the monarchy were siding with the victim's version of occurrences.

Additionally, for the initial instance they ultimately showed regard for the victims: "The censures are deemed necessary, despite the fact that he maintains his innocence of the allegations against him."

Finally it is presumption, self-seeking and laziness that will destroy the institution. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and venality, Andrew seems never to have understood that lesson.