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It all began with a isolated photograph, perhaps the most significant ever captured of a member of the monarchy.

Present was the Duke of York, with his arm around a female youth, while another individual grinned knowingly in the background.

Absent that photograph, captured at a party in 2001, who would have believed the allegations of a young woman who stated she was moved across the sea and obliged to have brief relations with a prince of the monarchy?

A strange, indicative gesture by someone who had openly claimed to have no heard of her, asserted he could no have had sex with her, and yet paid millions of monarchical resources to avert a protracted lawsuit.

Over a Decade of Scandal

Considering this, talk of the monarchy acting decisively to cut Andrew off are wide of the mark. This scandal has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and a further photo of Andrew ambling congenially with a notorious individual came to light.

• Self-importance: For what duration did his siblings, maybe even his relatives, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Problematic Connections: They must have understood, if his aides and the law enforcement were performing their duties, that he had some highly questionable associates given he openly hosted them to palaces.
• Financial Extravagance: If the family did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Travel were printed in official documents: helicopter transfers from the palace to a country club and back again in time for dining, exclusive air travel instead of regular transport, all for the comfort of "the frequent flyer".

World of Deference

Additionally the presumption which required subservience when he appeared in a space or the profound consciousness about his designations used on his letterheads in communication to his friends.

He could get away with it while his mother, who inexplicably pampered him, was still alive. The Queen did at least strip him of official roles and military positions in the consequence of his disastrous and, as revealed, untruthful television interview six years ago.

Current Situation

Just in the last two weeks that events sped up, following the publication of biographical works giving more disturbing particulars of his behavior and that of his associates.

Further disclosures have again highlighted Andrew's thinking that he could get away with lying about his relationship with a disgraced individual.

Society (and the journalists) were far in advance of the royal family. There was no one of any consequence to defend him, a consequence of all those years of hubris.

Monarchical Concerns

The more intelligent royals recognized that. The primary concern is to hand down the monarchy, if not as previously at least whole and untarnished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to reverse the reputation of earlier rulers, demonstrating they are valuable, accountable and responsive to their subjects.

He was placing all that in jeopardy in an age when deference and secrecy is no longer sufficient.

The Fallout

Eventually, the famously indecisive monarch was prodded further. There was little choice. The palace had lost control of the account.

Currently the loss of designations and the ongoing and lifetime personal shame that will afflict Andrew most deeply.

• Downgrading: Lowered to just a commoner
• Past Example: The first monarch to forfeit his titles in modern times
• Armed Forces: Particularly painful given his role in the engagement

He continues to be a constitutional officer, theoretically able to stand in for the king, and he is still in the lineage to the monarchy, but not any of these will actually occur.

What Lies Ahead

Can persons he comes across still acknowledge him? Will they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Would they say Andrew,

Naturally, he is not retiring to suburbia, but to the monarchy's extensive estate at a royal residence.

At that location, he will be supplied by the king with one of the royal residences and given some sort of financial support.

This differs from his prior accommodation, where he paid a token rent for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit remote, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Pending Matters

The situation continues. There are still files in the possession of American legislators to be disclosed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Could lawmakers seek further action
• Financial Investigation: Or scrutinize the waste of taxpayer funds
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a criminal probe into his behavior

Possibly for the present the reputational impact to the institution is contained. The narrative from the institution was clearly that the revocation of honorifics was what the sovereign, and notably other senior monarchical figures, wanted.

Changed Stance

The cessation of pretence that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, remarkably, the short statement showed clearly that the royals were supporting the victim's narrative of events.

Even more, for the initial instance they eventually showed consideration for the victims: "These actions are considered essential, notwithstanding the reality that he persists in refuting the accusations against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, selfishness and indolence that will destroy the crown. In his stupidity, self-indulgence and greed, Andrew appears never to have understood that truth.