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

Present was the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a female youth, while another individual grinned knowingly in the background.

Without that image, captured at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the assertions of a teenager who declared she was transported across the Atlantic and compelled to have cursory sexual encounters with a individual of the royal family?

A curious, revealing gesture by someone who had publicly asserted to have not known about her, said he could not have had relations with her, and yet provided millions of his mother's money to resolve a protracted lawsuit.

Years of Controversy

Against this backdrop, discussions of the monarchy acting decisively to cut Andrew off are inaccurate. This scandal has continued for the majority of 15 years since that image, and an additional image of Andrew walking congenially with a convicted sex offender surfaced.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his siblings, perhaps even his relatives, know that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Problematic Connections: They must have known, if his employees and the authorities were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable friends given he openly hosted them to royal residences.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources.

Journeys were listed in public records: helicopter flights from the palace to a country club and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of regular transport, all for the convenience of "the frequent flyer".

A Life of Privilege

Then there was the presumption which required subservience when he entered a area or the supreme consciousness about his designations used on his correspondence in messages to his associates.

He could get away with it while his mother, who strangely pampered him, was still alive. The Queen did at least revoke him of royal responsibilities and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his disastrous and, as revealed, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

Merely in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the issuance of biographical works giving more grim particulars of his behavior and that of his companions.

Additional revelations have again highlighted Andrew's assumption that he could escape deceiving about his contact with a notorious figure.

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

Monarchical Concerns

The more intelligent family members recognized that. The key objective is to pass on the institution, if not as previously at least whole and unblemished.

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

His actions endangered all that in danger in an age when respect and privacy is no longer sufficient.

Consequences

Finally, the notoriously uncertain monarch was prodded additional. There was no alternative. The institution had lost control of the narrative.

Presently the stripping of titles and the persistent and permanent personal shame that will pain Andrew the most.

• Demotion: Lowered to just a commoner
• Past Example: The first monarch to forfeit his designations in modern times
• Armed Forces: Particularly painful given his service in the conflict

He remains a royal advisor, theoretically able to stand in for the monarch, and he is still in the lineage to the throne, but neither of these will actually come to pass.

Future Prospects

Do individuals he meets still show respect to him? Could they still slip up and call him Sir? Would they say Andrew,

Certainly, he is not withdrawing to a common area, but to the royal family's large property at Sandringham.

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

This is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a nominal lease for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit remote, but even so it may not be far enough.

Outstanding Concerns

This is not over. There are still files in the custody of US Congress to be made public.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Could lawmakers seek further action
• Monetary Probe: Or examine the improper use of state resources
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his conduct

Maybe for the moment the harm to the monarchy to the monarchy is contained. The statement from the palace was clearly that the removal of honorifics was what the monarch, and notably other senior family members, wanted.

Changed Stance

No more pretence that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, remarkably, the brief announcement showed plainly that the institution were siding with the victim's account of incidents.

Furthermore, for the first time they ultimately showed regard for the survivors: "The measures are considered essential, regardless of the fact that he continues to deny the claims against him."

Finally it is arrogance, self-seeking and inactivity that will kill the crown. In his stupidity, self-indulgence and venality, Andrew seems never to have learned that lesson.