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The saga started with a isolated photograph, possibly the most impactful ever captured of a individual from the royal household.

In the frame appeared the Duke of York, standing closely beside a young woman, while another individual beamed conspiratorially in the background.

Without that snapshot, shot at a gathering in 2001, few would have credited the allegations of a young woman who declared she was transported across the sea and compelled to have brief relations with a individual of the monarchy?

A strange, telling action by someone who had publicly stated to have no been aware of her, said he could no have had sex with her, and yet handed over a large amount of family money to avert a drawn-out lawsuit.

Over a Decade of Scandal

In this context, discussions of the royals acting firmly to cut Andrew off are wide of the mark. This scandal has persisted for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and an additional image of Andrew walking amiably with a disgraced financier emerged.

• Hubris: How long did his family members, maybe even his parents, know that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have understood, if his staff and the law enforcement were performing their duties, that he had some extremely unsavory associates given he openly hosted them to royal residences.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with state resources.

Trips were printed in official documents: chopper travel from the estate to a country club and back again in time for lunch, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the convenience of "the travel enthusiast".

World of Deference

Furthermore the presumption which expected deference when he appeared in a space or the profound obsession about his royal titles used on his official documents in communication to his personal acquaintances.

He could get away with it while his matriarch, who strangely pampered him, was still surviving. The monarch did at least revoke him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the wake of his disastrous and, we now know, mendacious television interview six years ago.

Recent Developments

Merely in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the release of biographical works giving more disturbing information of his actions and that of his companions.

Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's thinking that he could escape being untruthful about his relationship with a disgraced individual.

Society (and the press) were far in advance of the royals. There was not a single person of any consequence to defend him, a consequence of all those years of presumption.

Institutional Fears

The wiser family members understood that. The one imperative is to pass on the monarchy, if not as heretofore at least whole and unblemished.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are beneficial, accountable and responsive to their people.

Andrew was putting all that in danger in an time when submission and secrecy is no longer sufficient.

Aftermath

Finally, the famously indecisive king was pressured further. There was little choice. The royal household had lost control of the narrative.

Presently the removal of designations and the persistent and life-long personal shame that will afflict Andrew most severely.

• Demotion: Demoted to just a private citizen
• Historical Precedent: The first monarch to lose his titles in contemporary era
• Military Service: Especially hurtful given his service in the conflict

He remains a royal advisor, on paper able to stand in for the sovereign, and he is still eighth in line to the monarchy, but none of these will actually come to pass.

Future Prospects

Will people he encounters still acknowledge him? Will they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Would they say Andrew,

Of course, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's extensive estate at a monarchical property.

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 prior accommodation, where he paid a minimal payment for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit far, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Pending Matters

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

• Governmental Scrutiny: Could parliament request additional information
• Financial Investigation: Or examine the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a police investigation into his actions

Maybe for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the crown is restricted. The statement from the institution was evidently that the removal of honorifics was what the sovereign, and especially other senior monarchical figures, sought.

A Shift in Position

An end to deception that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, notably, the short communication showed clearly that the monarchy were siding with the accuser's version of events.

Furthermore, for the premiere occasion they finally showed concern for the survivors: "These actions are considered essential, despite the truth that he maintains his innocence of the allegations against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, self-interest and inactivity that will kill the crown. In his stupidity, self-indulgence and venality, Andrew appears never to have grasped that lesson.