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It all began with a solitary photograph, possibly the most significant ever captured of a royal family member.

In the frame appeared the Earl of Inverness, with his arm around a young woman, while a companion grinned suggestively in the rear.

Absent that snapshot, captured at a gathering in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a adolescent who declared she was moved across the ocean and obliged to have perfunctory relations with a individual of the royal bloodline?

An odd, telling move by someone who had overtly stated to have no been aware of her, claimed he could not have had sex with her, and yet paid a substantial sum of monarchical funds to avert a drawn-out legal case.

Over a Decade of Disgrace

In this context, discussions of the royal family acting decisively to distance themselves from Andrew are wide of the mark. This affair has persisted for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and another photo of Andrew strolling pleasantly with a convicted sex offender emerged.

• Hubris: For what duration did his siblings, perhaps even his mother and father, know that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Questionable Associations: They must have realized, if his aides and the authorities were performing their duties, that he had some extremely unsavory friends given he unabashedly invited them to royal residences.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Travel were documented in official documents: private aircraft travel from the palace to a country club and back again in time for midday meal, private flights instead of commercial flights, all for the benefit of "Airmiles Andy".

Existence of Entitlement

Additionally the entitlement which demanded deference when he entered a room or the extreme awareness about his designations used on his correspondence in letters to his personal acquaintances.

He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who inexplicably spoiled him, was still living. The monarch did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the wake of his disastrous and, we now know, deceptive public statement six years ago.

Latest Events

Just in the last fortnight that events progressed rapidly, following the publication of biographical works giving more grim details of his conduct and that of his connections.

Additional revelations have again revealed Andrew's assumption that he could get away with being untruthful about his relationship with a notorious figure.

Society (and the journalists) were far more perceptive of the monarchy. There was no one of any significance to speak up for him, a outcome of all those years of arrogance.

Royal Worries

The more intelligent family members realized that. The primary concern is to hand down the crown, if not as previously at least whole and unblemished.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to overcome the image of previous monarchs, proving they are useful, responsible and attentive to their subjects.

He was placing all that in danger in an era when respect and secrecy is no longer enough.

Consequences

Finally, the notoriously hesitant king was pushed more. There was little choice. The palace had surrendered command of the story.

Now it is the removal of designations and the persistent and life-long public humiliation that will afflict Andrew most deeply.

• Downgrading: Reduced to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Prior Instance: The initial royal to lose his designations in recent history
• Naval Career: Especially stinging given his duty in the engagement

He continues to be a counsellor of state, in principle able to substitute for the sovereign, and he is still eighth in line to the throne, but none of these will actually happen.

Coming Developments

Do individuals he comes across still acknowledge him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Would they say Mr,

Naturally, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the royal family's large estate at Sandringham.

There, he will be provided by the king with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of personal stipend.

This is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a minimal rent for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit distant, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Unresolved Issues

This is not over. There are still files in the possession of US Congress to be revealed.

• Political Pressure: Will parliament seek further action
• Financial Investigation: Or scrutinize the misuse of state resources
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior

Perhaps for the present the reputational impact to the crown is contained. The statement from the royal household was plainly that the revocation of designations was what the monarch, and especially other senior royals, desired.

Changed Stance

The cessation of pretence that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, significantly, the concise announcement showed plainly that the institution were supporting the complainant's version of events.

Even more, for the initial instance they finally showed consideration for the affected individuals: "The measures are considered essential, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the accusations against him."

In the end it is presumption, selfishness and laziness that will kill the crown. In his folly, self-gratification and corruption, Andrew appears never to have understood that truth.