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This episode commenced with a single photograph, arguably the most consequential ever taken of a member of the monarchy.

In the frame appeared the Earl of Inverness, standing closely beside a young woman, while another individual grinned suggestively in the backdrop.

Absent that photograph, captured at a social event in 2001, who would have believed the claims of a adolescent who stated she was transported across the sea and forced to have brief sexual encounters with a member of the monarchy?

A curious, revealing move by someone who had overtly asserted to have never known about her, said he could never have had relations with her, and yet provided millions of family money to avert a protracted court action.

Over a Decade of Scandal

Against this backdrop, conversations of the royals acting swiftly to distance themselves from Andrew are wide of the mark. This controversy has continued for the better part of 15 years since that picture, and a further image of Andrew walking amiably with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Hubris: For what duration did his siblings, possibly even his mother and father, know that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his employees and the police were doing their jobs, that he had some highly questionable friends given he openly welcomed them to palaces.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the monarchy did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with state resources.

Trips were documented in official documents: chopper transfers from the palace to a sporting venue and back again in time for lunch, chartered planes instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

World of Deference

Then there was the entitlement which expected subservience when he walked into a area or the profound awareness about his designations used on his official documents in communication to his friends.

He could get away with it while his parent, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still alive. The sovereign did at least remove him of official roles and honorary colonelcies in the consequence of his disastrous and, it is now clear, untruthful media appearance six years ago.

Recent Developments

Merely in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the publication of books giving more grim information of his conduct and that of his companions.

Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's thinking that he could get away with lying about his relationship with a disgraced individual.

The public (and the press) were far in advance of the monarchy. There was nobody of any importance to defend him, a outcome of all those years of arrogance.

Institutional Fears

The wiser monarchical figures understood that. The one imperative is to transfer the institution, if not as heretofore at least intact and unblemished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the legacy of earlier rulers, demonstrating they are beneficial, accountable and responsive to their citizens.

Andrew was putting all that in danger in an age when respect and secrecy is no longer adequate.

Aftermath

Finally, the well-known indecisive king was pushed additional. There was no alternative. The royal household had surrendered command of the narrative.

Currently the stripping of honorifics and the ongoing and lifetime social disgrace that will hurt Andrew most severely.

• Reduction: Lowered to just a commoner
• Historical Precedent: The first member to surrender his designations in recent history
• Naval Career: Notably painful given his role in the conflict

He continues to be a counsellor of state, on paper able to act for the sovereign, and he is still eighth in line to the monarchy, but neither of these will actually come to pass.

Coming Developments

Can persons he encounters still acknowledge him? Could they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Will they even say Sir,

Certainly, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's extensive property at a monarchical property.

At that location, he will be supplied by the king with one of the royal residences and given some form of private allowance.

This differs from his prior accommodation, where he paid a nominal lease for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit far, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Pending Matters

The situation continues. There are still records in the possession of US Congress to be made public.

• Parliamentary Interest: Will legislators demand more
• Fiscal Review: Or scrutinize the waste of taxpayer funds
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his conduct

Maybe for the present the institutional damage to the monarchy is contained. The statement from the royal household was evidently that the revocation of designations was what the monarch, and particularly other senior family members, wanted.

Altered Approach

No more deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the concise announcement showed plainly that the institution were siding with the complainant's version of occurrences.

Even more, for the first time they ultimately showed concern for the victims: "The measures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the truth that he persists in refuting the allegations against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, selfishness and laziness that will destroy the monarchy. In his foolishness, self-gratification and corruption, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that reality.