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This episode commenced with a isolated photograph, possibly the most consequential ever captured of a individual from the royal household.

There stood the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a teenage girl, while a companion beamed knowingly in the backdrop.

Absent that snapshot, shot at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a teenager who declared she was transported across the sea and obliged to have perfunctory relations with a member of the monarchy?

An odd, revealing gesture by someone who had openly asserted to have not known about her, said he could no have had sex with her, and yet paid a large amount of family resources to settle a protracted lawsuit.

A Long Period of Disgrace

Against this backdrop, discussions of the monarchy acting firmly to distance themselves from Andrew are wide of the mark. This affair has continued for the majority of 15 years since that photograph, and a further snapshot of Andrew strolling amiably with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, maybe even his mother and father, realize that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Problematic Connections: They must have realized, if his staff and the authorities were performing their duties, that he had some deeply disreputable associates given he publicly hosted them to estates.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his overspending with public money.

Journeys were listed in royal annual reports: chopper flights from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for lunch, chartered planes instead of regular transport, all for the convenience of "the frequent flyer".

A Life of Privilege

Furthermore the arrogance which expected subservience when he walked into a space or the profound awareness about his royal titles used on his correspondence in messages to his associates.

He could get away with it while his parent, who inexplicably indulged him, was still alive. The Queen did at least remove him of official roles and honorary colonelcies in the wake of his catastrophic and, we now know, untruthful television interview six years ago.

Recent Developments

It was only in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the publication of accounts giving more grim particulars of his conduct and that of his connections.

More information have again highlighted Andrew's assumption that he could avoid lying about his contact with a convicted criminal.

People (and the press) were far ahead of the royals. There was nobody of any significance to defend him, a outcome of all those years of hubris.

Royal Worries

The more intelligent royals realized that. The key objective is to hand down the institution, if not as heretofore at least intact and untarnished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to undo the legacy of earlier rulers, proving they are beneficial, dutiful and responsive to their people.

He was placing all that in jeopardy in an age when submission and secrecy is no longer sufficient.

The Fallout

Eventually, the well-known indecisive monarch was pushed further. There was no alternative. The palace had surrendered command of the story.

Presently the stripping of designations and the continued and lifetime personal shame that will afflict Andrew most deeply.

• Downgrading: Demoted to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Past Example: The initial member to surrender his titles in recent history
• Military Service: Especially hurtful given his service in the engagement

He continues to be a royal advisor, in principle able to substitute for the monarch, and he is still in the lineage to the throne, but not any of these will ever come to pass.

What Lies Ahead

Do individuals he encounters still acknowledge him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Your Highness? Might they say Mr,

Certainly, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the royal family's extensive property at a royal residence.

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

This differs from his former home, where he paid a nominal payment for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit remote, but even so it may not be far enough.

Pending Matters

Matters remain unresolved. There are still files in the possession of American legislators to be made public.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Could legislators demand more
• Fiscal Review: Or investigate the improper use of state resources
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his actions

Perhaps for the time being the institutional damage to the crown is restricted. The narrative from the royal household was clearly that the revocation of honorifics was what the monarch, and especially other senior monarchical figures, wanted.

A Shift in Position

An end to deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, notably, the brief statement showed evidently that the monarchy were supporting the victim's account of occurrences.

Additionally, for the premiere occasion they eventually showed consideration for the victims: "The measures are considered essential, regardless of the reality that he persists in refuting the accusations against him."

Finally it is arrogance, self-interest and inactivity that will kill the institution. In his folly, self-gratification and corruption, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that reality.