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This episode commenced with a solitary photograph, possibly the most consequential ever captured of a individual from the royal household.

Present was the Duke of York, arm-in-arm a female youth, while an associate beamed suggestively in the rear.

Absent that image, shot at a gathering in 2001, who would have believed the assertions of a teenager who said she was trafficked across the Atlantic and obliged to have brief relations with a prince of the royal family?

A curious, revealing gesture by someone who had openly stated to have no known about her, said he could no have had relations with her, and yet handed over millions of monarchical funds to settle a drawn-out lawsuit.

Over a Decade of Scandal

In this context, discussions of the royal family acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are wide of the mark. This scandal has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and another photo of Andrew walking pleasantly with a notorious individual came to light.

• Arrogance: For what duration did his brothers and sisters, maybe even his parents, know that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have known, if his employees and the authorities were performing their duties, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he unabashedly hosted them to estates.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds.

Travel were listed in public records: helicopter travel from the royal residence to a golf course and back again in time for midday meal, private flights instead of regular transport, all for the comfort of "the travel enthusiast".

A Life of Privilege

Additionally the arrogance which required respect when he entered a space or the supreme obsession about his honorifics used on his official documents in communication to his personal acquaintances.

He could get away with it while his parent, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still alive. The Queen did at least strip him of public duties and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his ill-fated and, we now know, untruthful television interview six years ago.

Latest Events

Merely in the last 14 days that events sped up, following the publication of accounts giving more disturbing particulars of his actions and that of his connections.

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

People (and the press) were far in advance of the royal family. There was nobody of any significance to support him, a outcome of all those years of presumption.

Institutional Fears

The more astute royals understood that. The primary concern is to pass on the institution, if not as before at least complete and untarnished.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to undo the legacy of past sovereigns, proving they are valuable, responsible and responsive to their subjects.

His actions endangered all that in peril in an era when submission and discretion is no longer adequate.

Aftermath

Eventually, the well-known hesitant monarch was pushed additional. There was no other option. The institution had relinquished authority of the narrative.

Currently the removal of titles and the persistent and lifetime social disgrace that will hurt Andrew most deeply.

• Demotion: Reduced to just a private citizen
• Historical Precedent: The first monarch to forfeit his designations in modern times
• Military Service: Particularly hurtful given his service in the conflict

He remains a royal advisor, on paper able to stand in for the monarch, and he is still in the lineage to the crown, but not any of these will ever come to pass.

Coming Developments

Will people he encounters still show respect to him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Will they even say Sir,

Of course, he is not retiring to a common area, but to the sovereign's vast property at a monarchical property.

There, he will be provided by the monarch with one of the grace and favour houses and given some sort of personal stipend.

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

Outstanding Concerns

Matters remain unresolved. There are still records in the hands of US Congress to be revealed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Might legislators seek further action
• Financial Investigation: Or investigate the misuse of state resources
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a criminal probe into his behavior

Maybe for the time being the reputational impact to the crown is contained. The message from the institution was clearly that the stripping of titles was what the monarch, and notably other senior monarchical figures, desired.

A Shift in Position

An end to deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, notably, the brief announcement showed clearly that the monarchy were supporting the complainant's account of incidents.

Even more, for the premiere occasion they finally showed regard for the victims: "The measures are considered essential, despite the reality that he maintains his innocence of the accusations against him."

Finally it is presumption, self-seeking and indolence that will kill the monarchy. In his foolishness, self-gratification and venality, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that lesson.