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This episode commenced with a isolated photograph, perhaps the most significant ever captured 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 background.

Lacking that image, shot at a party in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a young woman who stated she was transported across the ocean and compelled to have perfunctory sexual encounters with a prince of the monarchy?

An odd, telling gesture by someone who had publicly asserted to have never been aware of her, asserted he could not have had relations with her, and yet handed over millions of his mother's funds to resolve a protracted lawsuit.

A Long Period of Controversy

In this context, discussions of the royals acting swiftly to sever ties with Andrew are misguided. This controversy has endured for the majority of 15 years since that image, and a further snapshot of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a notorious individual came to light.

• Arrogance: How long did his family members, possibly even his parents, realize that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Questionable Associations: They must have understood, if his aides and the law enforcement were doing their jobs, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he unabashedly welcomed them to estates.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with public money.

Trips were listed in official documents: chopper transfers from the palace to a sporting venue and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of commercial flights, all for the comfort of "the travel enthusiast".

A Life of Privilege

Then there was the entitlement which expected subservience when he walked into a space or the profound obsession about his designations used on his correspondence in communication to his friends.

He avoided accountability while his parent, who inexplicably pampered him, was still surviving. The monarch did at least revoke him of official roles and ceremonial ranks in the wake of his ill-fated and, we now know, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Latest Events

It was only in the last 14 days that events sped up, following the issuance of books giving more troubling information of his actions and that of his connections.

Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could escape deceiving about his interaction with a disgraced individual.

The public (and the press) were far more perceptive of the royals. There was nobody of any significance to speak up for him, a result of all those years of presumption.

Institutional Fears

The wiser family members recognized that. The one imperative is to hand down the monarchy, if not as heretofore at least whole and unblemished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the image of previous monarchs, demonstrating they are useful, dutiful and responsive to their subjects.

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

Aftermath

Finally, the famously indecisive sovereign was prodded additional. There was no alternative. The royal household had relinquished authority of the story.

Currently the stripping of titles and the continued and permanent public humiliation that will pain Andrew most deeply.

• Demotion: Lowered to just a commoner
• Prior Instance: The first member to surrender his designations in contemporary era
• Armed Forces: Notably stinging given his role in the conflict

He is still a royal advisor, theoretically able to stand in for the sovereign, and he is still in the lineage to the throne, but none of these will actually come to pass.

Future Prospects

Will people he encounters still acknowledge him? Will they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Would they say Mr,

Certainly, he is not moving to an ordinary town, but to the monarchy's vast property at a royal residence.

There, he will be furnished by the monarch with one of the estate properties and given some type of financial support.

This is not his former home, 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.

Outstanding Concerns

Matters remain unresolved. There are still records in the possession of US Congress to be disclosed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Will parliament request additional information
• Fiscal Review: Or investigate the misuse of taxpayer funds
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior

Perhaps for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the monarchy is limited. The narrative from the royal household was clearly that the removal of honorifics was what the monarch, and especially other senior monarchical figures, desired.

A Shift in Position

The cessation of deception that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, notably, the short communication showed plainly that the institution were supporting the accuser's version of events.

Furthermore, for the initial instance they ultimately showed concern for the affected individuals: "The censures are considered essential, regardless of the truth that he persists in refuting the claims against him."

Ultimately it is presumption, self-seeking and indolence that will destroy the crown. In his foolishness, personal excess and venality, Andrew seems never to have grasped that truth.