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It all began with a solitary photograph, possibly the most consequential ever snapped of a member of the monarchy.

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

Absent that image, shot at a party in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a teenager who stated she was moved across the Atlantic and compelled to have perfunctory sexual encounters with a prince of the royal bloodline?

A strange, indicative gesture by someone who had openly stated to have not been aware of her, claimed he could never have had sex with her, and yet paid a large amount of monarchical money to avert a protracted court action.

Over a Decade of Scandal

In this context, conversations of the royal family acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are wide of the mark. This scandal has persisted for the majority of 15 years since that photograph, and an additional snapshot of Andrew walking congenially with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Hubris: How long did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his mother and father, realize that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have known, if his aides and the law enforcement were doing their jobs, that he had some extremely unsavory associates given he unabashedly hosted them to estates.
• Financial Extravagance: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his overspending with state resources.

Travel were listed in public records: private aircraft flights from the royal residence to a country club and back again in time for dining, exclusive air travel instead of scheduled services, all for the comfort of "the travel enthusiast".

A Life of Privilege

Additionally the entitlement which demanded subservience when he appeared in a area or the profound awareness about his designations used on his letterheads in messages to his personal acquaintances.

He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who strangely spoiled him, was still living. The Queen did at least remove him of official roles and military positions in the wake of his catastrophic and, as revealed, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

Merely in the last 14 days that events progressed rapidly, following the release of accounts giving more troubling particulars of his conduct and that of his associates.

More information have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could escape deceiving about his relationship with a convicted criminal.

People (and the media) were far more perceptive of the royal family. There was not a single person of any importance to defend him, a result of all those years of hubris.

Royal Worries

The more intelligent family members recognized that. The key objective is to pass on the crown, if not as heretofore at least whole and unstained.

For generations the last 190 years trying to overcome the legacy of previous monarchs, demonstrating they are valuable, accountable and attentive to their people.

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

The Fallout

Eventually, the well-known hesitant king was pressured more. There was no other option. The royal household had relinquished authority of the story.

Currently the loss of designations and the ongoing and lifetime public humiliation that will hurt Andrew most deeply.

• Downgrading: Reduced to just a private citizen
• Historical Precedent: The initial member to lose his titles in contemporary era
• Military Service: Especially hurtful given his duty in the engagement

He is still a counsellor of state, in principle able to substitute for the king, and he is still in the lineage to the throne, but neither of these will ever occur.

What Lies Ahead

Will people he encounters still show respect to him? Will they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Will they even say Mr,

Certainly, he is not moving to an ordinary town, but to the monarchy's vast grounds at Sandringham.

At that location, he will be supplied by the sovereign with one of the estate properties and given some sort of financial support.

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

Unresolved Issues

This is not over. There are still files in the possession of overseas authorities to be disclosed.

• Political Pressure: Might lawmakers request additional information
• Fiscal Review: Or investigate the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a criminal probe into his actions

Maybe for the time being the reputational impact to the crown is limited. The narrative from the institution was evidently that the removal of honorifics was what the monarch, and especially other senior monarchical figures, wanted.

A Shift in Position

No more pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, notably, the concise communication showed plainly that the institution were siding with the accuser's account of events.

Furthermore, for the premiere occasion they eventually showed regard for the victims: "The measures are considered essential, despite the truth that he persists in refuting the claims against him."

In the end it is entitlement, selfishness and laziness that will destroy the crown. In his foolishness, self-gratification and venality, Andrew gives the impression never to have learned that lesson.