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

Present was the Duke of York, with his arm around a young woman, while a companion beamed suggestively in the background.

Absent that snapshot, captured at a party in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a adolescent who said she was transported across the ocean and forced to have perfunctory intimate contact with a member of the monarchy?

A curious, telling gesture by someone who had openly stated to have no known about her, asserted he could never have had relations with her, and yet handed over a large amount of monarchical money to settle a long-delayed court action.

Years of Disgrace

Considering this, discussions of the monarchy acting decisively to cut Andrew off are wide of the mark. This scandal has persisted for the majority of 15 years since that picture, and an additional snapshot of Andrew walking congenially with a convicted sex offender surfaced.

• Self-importance: How long did his brothers and sisters, maybe even his parents, know that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his aides and the law enforcement were doing their jobs, that he had some highly questionable associates given he publicly welcomed them to estates.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the household did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds.

Journeys were listed in public records: helicopter travel from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for lunch, exclusive air travel instead of scheduled services, all for the convenience of "the frequent flyer".

Existence of Entitlement

Additionally the entitlement which demanded deference when he appeared in a room or the supreme consciousness about his honorifics used on his letterheads in letters to his associates.

He managed to escape consequences while his matriarch, who strangely pampered him, was still alive. The Queen did at least revoke him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the consequence of his ill-fated and, we now know, mendacious public statement six years ago.

Latest Events

Merely in the last 14 days that events accelerated, following the release of accounts giving more troubling particulars of his actions and that of his companions.

More information have again revealed Andrew's assumption that he could get away with deceiving about his relationship with a disgraced individual.

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

Royal Worries

The more intelligent family members realized that. The one imperative is to pass on the crown, if not as before at least complete and unblemished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are beneficial, accountable and reactive to their people.

His actions endangered all that in jeopardy in an time when respect and discretion is no longer enough.

Aftermath

Ultimately, the famously uncertain monarch was pushed additional. There was little choice. The palace had relinquished authority of the narrative.

Now it is the stripping of honorifics and the persistent and permanent personal shame that will afflict Andrew the most.

• Reduction: Reduced to just a private citizen
• Historical Precedent: The first member to lose his titles in modern times
• Armed Forces: Especially stinging given his service in the engagement

He continues to be a royal advisor, on paper able to stand in for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the crown, but none of these will truly occur.

Future Prospects

Will people he meets still show respect to him? Could they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Might they say Andrew,

Certainly, he is not withdrawing to a common area, but to the sovereign's large grounds at a royal residence.

At that location, he will be provided by the monarch with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of private allowance.

This differs from his prior accommodation, where he paid a minimal rent for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit far, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed.

Unresolved Issues

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

• Governmental Scrutiny: Will legislators demand more
• Financial Investigation: Or investigate the improper use of state resources
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a police investigation into his conduct

Possibly for the time being the institutional damage to the monarchy is restricted. The message from the palace was evidently that the stripping of designations was what the king, and notably other senior royals, desired.

Altered Approach

No more illusion that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, notably, the short statement showed plainly that the institution were aligning with the complainant's account of occurrences.

Furthermore, for the initial instance they ultimately showed consideration for the victims: "These actions are considered essential, despite the fact that he continues to deny the accusations against him."

Ultimately it is presumption, self-interest and laziness that will undermine the institution. In his stupidity, self-indulgence and corruption, Andrew seems never to have learned that lesson.