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It all began with a solitary photograph, possibly the most impactful ever snapped of a individual from the royal household.

There stood the Earl of Inverness, with his arm around a female youth, while a companion smiled knowingly in the rear.

Without that photograph, taken at a social event in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the assertions of a teenager who declared she was moved across the Atlantic and compelled to have cursory relations with a individual of the monarchy?

An odd, revealing gesture by someone who had overtly asserted to have never been aware of her, said he could never have had sex with her, and yet handed over millions of family resources to settle a long-delayed lawsuit.

Years of Controversy

Considering this, talk of the royals acting firmly to distance themselves from Andrew are inaccurate. This affair has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and another photo of Andrew strolling pleasantly with a convicted sex offender surfaced.

• Hubris: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, maybe even his parents, realize that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his aides and the law enforcement were performing their duties, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he publicly hosted them to estates.
• Monetary Excess: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his overspending with state resources.

Journeys were documented in royal annual reports: chopper flights from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the convenience of "the frequent flyer".

A Life of Privilege

Additionally the arrogance which demanded subservience when he appeared in a room or the extreme obsession about his royal titles used on his letterheads in letters to his associates.

He could get away with it while his mother, who strangely spoiled him, was still alive. The Queen did at least strip him of public duties and honorary colonelcies in the aftermath of his disastrous and, as revealed, untruthful media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last two weeks that events accelerated, following the release of accounts giving more disturbing particulars of his actions and that of his connections.

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

Society (and the press) were far in advance of the royals. There was nobody of any importance to speak up for him, a outcome of all those years of hubris.

Institutional Fears

The more intelligent monarchical figures recognized that. The primary concern is to pass on the monarchy, if not as previously at least complete and untarnished.

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

Andrew was putting all that in jeopardy in an age when deference and discretion is no longer enough.

The Fallout

Finally, the famously uncertain monarch was pushed more. There was no other option. The palace had surrendered command of the story.

Currently the stripping of designations and the persistent and permanent social disgrace that will pain Andrew most severely.

• Demotion: Demoted to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Prior Instance: The primary royal to lose his designations in recent history
• Armed Forces: Particularly hurtful given his service in the engagement

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

What Lies Ahead

Do individuals he comes across still acknowledge him? Could they still slip up and call him Sir? Would they say Sir,

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

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

This differs from his prior accommodation, where he paid a minimal payment for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit distant, but even so it may not be far enough.

Unresolved Issues

This is not over. There are still files in the hands of American legislators to be revealed.

• Political Pressure: Could legislators seek further action
• Fiscal Review: Or scrutinize the waste of state resources
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a criminal probe into his conduct

Possibly for the present the reputational impact to the institution is restricted. The narrative from the institution was plainly that the stripping of titles was what the sovereign, and especially other senior family members, sought.

Altered Approach

An end to pretence that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, remarkably, the short communication showed clearly that the monarchy were aligning with the victim's version of incidents.

Furthermore, for the premiere occasion they ultimately showed consideration for the affected individuals: "These actions are considered essential, notwithstanding the reality that he continues to deny the claims against him."

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