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This episode commenced with a single photograph, possibly the most significant ever captured of a royal family member.

Present was the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a young woman, while a companion smiled knowingly in the background.

Absent that image, captured at a social event in 2001, who would have believed the assertions of a young woman who stated she was transported across the ocean and forced to have perfunctory intimate contact with a individual of the monarchy?

An odd, indicative action by someone who had overtly claimed to have not been aware of her, said he could no have had relations with her, and yet handed over a substantial sum of his mother's resources to settle a long-delayed legal case.

A Long Period of Disgrace

Against this backdrop, talk of the monarchy acting swiftly to cut Andrew off are wide of the mark. This controversy has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and a further photo of Andrew walking pleasantly with a notorious individual came to light.

• Self-importance: To what extent did his siblings, perhaps even his mother and father, realize that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Questionable Associations: They must have understood, if his staff and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable companions given he unabashedly welcomed them to estates.
• Monetary Excess: If the household did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources.

Trips were printed in official documents: helicopter flights from the estate to a sporting venue and back again in time for lunch, exclusive air travel instead of commercial flights, all for the convenience of "the frequent flyer".

World of Deference

Additionally the entitlement which expected deference when he entered a space or the extreme awareness about his honorifics used on his letterheads in communication to his personal acquaintances.

He could get away with it while his matriarch, who strangely pampered him, was still alive. The Queen did at least revoke him of royal responsibilities and honorary colonelcies in the wake of his ill-fated and, it is now clear, untruthful public statement six years ago.

Latest Events

Just in the last 14 days that events sped up, following the issuance of accounts giving more disturbing information of his behavior and that of his companions.

More information have again exposed Andrew's belief that he could avoid lying about his relationship with a notorious figure.

The public (and the press) were far in advance of the royal family. There was not a single person of any importance to speak up for him, a outcome of all those years of arrogance.

Royal Worries

The wiser monarchical figures recognized that. The primary concern is to pass on the crown, if not as previously at least whole and untarnished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of previous monarchs, demonstrating they are valuable, responsible and reactive to their citizens.

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

Consequences

Finally, the well-known uncertain sovereign was pushed further. There was no other option. The palace had relinquished authority of the account.

Currently the loss of titles and the persistent and lifetime public humiliation that will hurt Andrew the most.

• Downgrading: Demoted to just a private citizen
• Historical Precedent: The primary member to surrender his honorifics in recent history
• Naval Career: Notably stinging given his role in the engagement

He continues to be a counsellor of state, on paper able to substitute for the king, and he is still eighth in line to the monarchy, but neither of these will ever happen.

What Lies Ahead

Do individuals he comes across still show respect to him? Could they still slip up and call him Sir? Would they say Mr,

Certainly, he is not withdrawing to a common area, but to the royal family's vast estate at a royal residence.

There, he will be furnished by the sovereign with one of the royal residences and given some sort of personal stipend.

This is not his former home, where he paid a minimal payment for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit far, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Pending Matters

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

• Parliamentary Interest: Will parliament demand more
• Fiscal Review: Or investigate the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his conduct

Possibly for the present the harm to the monarchy to the institution is limited. The statement from the institution was evidently that the removal of honorifics was what the monarch, and especially other senior family members, desired.

Changed Stance

No more deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the short statement showed clearly that the royals were aligning with the complainant's version of incidents.

Furthermore, for the initial instance they eventually showed concern for the affected individuals: "These actions are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the reality that he persists in refuting the claims against him."

Finally it is entitlement, self-seeking and indolence that will destroy the monarchy. In his foolishness, personal excess and venality, Andrew appears never to have grasped that truth.