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It all began with a single photograph, arguably the most consequential ever captured of a member of the monarchy.

In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a female youth, while another individual grinned suggestively in the rear.

Without that image, taken at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the allegations of a young woman who stated she was moved across the Atlantic and forced to have perfunctory sexual encounters with a member of the royal bloodline?

An odd, telling gesture by someone who had publicly asserted to have no heard of her, said he could no have had intimate contact with her, and yet provided millions of family funds to settle a protracted legal case.

A Long Period of Disgrace

Considering this, talk of the monarchy acting decisively to sever ties with Andrew are misguided. This controversy has endured for the better part of 15 years since that picture, and another image of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a convicted sex offender surfaced.

• Hubris: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, maybe even his relatives, understand that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Problematic Connections: They must have known, if his employees and the police were doing their jobs, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he unabashedly invited them to palaces.
• Monetary Excess: If the family did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his overspending with state resources.

Trips were printed in public records: helicopter flights from the estate to a golf course and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of commercial flights, all for the convenience of "the travel enthusiast".

World of Deference

Additionally the presumption which expected subservience when he appeared in a area or the profound obsession about his royal titles used on his official documents in messages to his associates.

He managed to escape consequences while his mother, who unaccountably indulged him, was still alive. The Queen did at least strip him of official roles and ceremonial ranks in the wake of his ill-fated and, it is now clear, deceptive public statement six years ago.

Recent Developments

It was only in the last 14 days that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of accounts giving more grim information of his conduct and that of his connections.

More information have again highlighted Andrew's thinking that he could get away with lying about his contact with a disgraced individual.

Society (and the journalists) were far ahead of the royal family. There was not a single person of any consequence to speak up for him, a consequence of all those years of presumption.

Monarchical Concerns

The more intelligent royals realized that. The one imperative is to transfer the institution, if not as before at least complete and unblemished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are valuable, accountable and responsive to their people.

Andrew was putting all that in jeopardy in an time when deference and privacy is no longer sufficient.

Aftermath

Finally, the famously uncertain monarch was pressured additional. There was little choice. The royal household had lost control of the narrative.

Currently the loss of designations and the persistent and life-long personal shame that will afflict Andrew the most.

• Downgrading: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Past Example: The primary royal to surrender his designations in modern times
• Military Service: Notably hurtful given his duty in the conflict

He remains a counsellor of state, theoretically able to act for the monarch, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but not any of these will truly occur.

Future Prospects

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

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

At that location, he will be provided by the monarch with one of the royal residences and given some form of financial support.

This differs from his former home, where he paid a minimal lease for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit remote, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed.

Unresolved Issues

The situation continues. There are still records in the possession of overseas authorities to be made public.

• Parliamentary Interest: Will parliament request additional information
• Fiscal Review: Or scrutinize the improper use of state resources
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior

Maybe for the time being the reputational impact to the monarchy is limited. The statement from the institution was evidently that the removal of titles was what the monarch, and notably other senior family members, sought.

A Shift in Position

An end to pretence that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, remarkably, the brief statement showed plainly that the institution were siding with the victim's narrative of events.

Additionally, for the premiere occasion they finally showed concern for the affected individuals: "The censures are deemed necessary, regardless of the fact that he persists in refuting the accusations against him."

Finally it is presumption, self-interest and indolence that will kill the monarchy. In his folly, self-gratification and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that truth.