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

There stood the Earl of Inverness, arm-in-arm a young woman, while another individual beamed conspiratorially in the rear.

Without that photograph, shot at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the assertions of a teenager who declared she was transported across the ocean and compelled to have cursory sexual encounters with a prince of the royal family?

A strange, revealing move by someone who had overtly asserted to have no been aware of her, asserted he could not have had sex with her, and yet paid millions of monarchical funds to avert a drawn-out legal case.

Over a Decade of Controversy

Against this backdrop, discussions of the monarchy acting decisively to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This controversy has persisted for the better part of 15 years since that picture, and an additional image of Andrew walking amiably with a convicted sex offender surfaced.

• Hubris: How long did his siblings, maybe even his relatives, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his employees and the law enforcement were doing their jobs, that he had some deeply disreputable friends given he openly hosted them to estates.
• Monetary Excess: If the household did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Journeys were documented in official documents: chopper travel from the palace to a golf course and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of regular transport, all for the benefit of "the travel enthusiast".

A Life of Privilege

Additionally the entitlement which required deference when he walked into a space or the extreme awareness about his honorifics used on his correspondence in messages to his associates.

He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who unaccountably pampered him, was still surviving. The monarch did at least remove him of public duties and military positions in the wake of his catastrophic and, as revealed, deceptive television interview six years ago.

Latest Events

It was only in the last fortnight that events progressed rapidly, following the publication of biographical works giving more disturbing particulars of his conduct and that of his connections.

Additional revelations have again highlighted Andrew's thinking that he could avoid lying about his relationship with a convicted criminal.

The public (and the press) were far in advance of the monarchy. There was not a single person of any significance to speak up for him, a outcome of all those years of arrogance.

Monarchical Concerns

The more astute royals recognized that. The key objective is to transfer the crown, if not as before at least complete and unstained.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are valuable, responsible and responsive to their subjects.

Andrew was putting all that in danger in an time when submission and discretion is no longer sufficient.

Consequences

Finally, the well-known hesitant sovereign was pushed further. There was no other option. The royal household had lost control of the narrative.

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

• Downgrading: Reduced to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Historical Precedent: The first royal to forfeit his titles in contemporary era
• Military Service: Particularly hurtful given his role in the Falklands war

He continues to be a royal advisor, in principle able to act for the king, and he is still eighth in line to the monarchy, but none of these will actually happen.

Coming Developments

Can persons he meets still defer to him? Will they still slip up and call him Prince? Might they say Mr,

Of course, he is not moving to suburbia, but to the monarchy's extensive property at Sandringham.

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.

It is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a minimal payment for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit remote, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Unresolved Issues

The situation continues. There are still records in the hands of American legislators to be made public.

• Parliamentary Interest: Might parliament seek further action
• Monetary Probe: Or scrutinize the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior

Possibly for the present the institutional damage to the institution is contained. The message from the institution was plainly that the stripping of honorifics was what the king, and notably other senior royals, desired.

A Shift in Position

An end to pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the short announcement showed clearly that the royals were supporting the accuser's narrative of occurrences.

Furthermore, for the initial instance they eventually showed concern for the affected individuals: "The measures are deemed necessary, regardless of the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

In the end it is presumption, self-seeking and laziness that will kill the institution. In his folly, self-indulgence and greed, Andrew appears never to have understood that lesson.