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The saga started with a solitary photograph, arguably the most impactful ever taken of a member of the monarchy.

Present was the Earl of Inverness, arm-in-arm a young woman, while another individual smiled conspiratorially in the rear.

Without that snapshot, shot at a gathering in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a young woman who stated she was transported across the sea and forced to have brief sexual encounters with a prince of the monarchy?

An odd, telling move by someone who had publicly asserted to have not known about her, claimed he could never have had relations with her, and yet provided millions of family resources to resolve a long-delayed lawsuit.

A Long Period of Controversy

In this context, talk of the royal family acting swiftly to sever ties with Andrew are misguided. This scandal has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and another photo of Andrew ambling congenially with a disgraced financier came to light.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his relatives, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Problematic Connections: They must have understood, if his staff and the authorities were fulfilling their roles, that he had some extremely unsavory companions given he publicly hosted them to royal residences.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the monarchy did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Journeys were listed in public records: chopper travel from the estate to a golf course and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of scheduled services, all for the comfort of "Airmiles Andy".

A Life of Privilege

Furthermore the presumption which demanded subservience when he entered a area or the extreme consciousness about his designations used on his letterheads in messages to his personal acquaintances.

He avoided accountability while his parent, who strangely pampered him, was still living. The Queen did at least remove him of official roles and honorary colonelcies in the consequence of his disastrous and, we now know, untruthful public statement six years ago.

Recent Developments

Merely in the last two weeks that events sped up, following the issuance of biographical works giving more grim particulars of his actions and that of his companions.

More information have again exposed Andrew's assumption that he could get away with being untruthful about his interaction with a notorious figure.

People (and the press) were far ahead of the royal family. There was no one of any significance to support him, a outcome of all those years of hubris.

Royal Worries

The more astute monarchical figures understood that. The one imperative is to hand down the crown, if not as before at least whole and unblemished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the legacy of earlier rulers, proving they are useful, dutiful and attentive to their people.

His actions endangered all that in peril in an time when deference and discretion is no longer sufficient.

Aftermath

Eventually, the famously indecisive sovereign was pushed additional. There was no other option. The royal household had relinquished authority of the story.

Presently the stripping of honorifics and the continued and lifetime personal shame that will hurt Andrew most severely.

• Downgrading: Reduced to just a private citizen
• Historical Precedent: The initial monarch to forfeit his titles in contemporary era
• Military Service: Especially stinging given his role in the Falklands war

He remains a royal advisor, theoretically able to act for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but neither of these will ever happen.

Future Prospects

Can persons he encounters still defer to him? Could they still slip up and call him Sir? Will they even say Andrew,

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

In that place, he will be furnished by the monarch with one of the royal residences and given some type of financial support.

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

Outstanding Concerns

This is not over. There are still records in the custody of overseas authorities to be revealed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Might parliament request additional information
• Fiscal Review: Or scrutinize the misuse of taxpayer funds
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a police investigation into his behavior

Perhaps for the moment the harm to the monarchy to the monarchy is restricted. The statement from the palace was plainly that the stripping of designations was what the king, and particularly other senior monarchical figures, desired.

Altered Approach

The cessation of illusion that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, notably, the brief statement showed clearly that the monarchy were aligning with the victim's narrative of events.

Furthermore, for the premiere occasion they eventually showed consideration for the survivors: "The censures are considered essential, despite the reality that he persists in refuting the allegations against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, self-seeking and inactivity that will destroy the monarchy. In his stupidity, self-gratification and venality, Andrew appears never to have understood that lesson.