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It all began with a solitary photograph, arguably the most impactful ever snapped of a royal family member.

In the frame appeared the Duke of York, arm-in-arm a female youth, while an associate smiled conspiratorially in the rear.

Without that image, shot at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the assertions of a adolescent who said she was transported across the sea and forced to have cursory intimate contact with a prince of the royal family?

A strange, telling gesture by someone who had openly asserted to have no been aware of her, said he could no have had sex with her, and yet provided a substantial sum of monarchical money to resolve a drawn-out legal case.

Years of Disgrace

In this context, talk of the royal family acting swiftly to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This affair has persisted for the better part of 15 years since that image, and an additional image of Andrew walking amiably with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his siblings, perhaps even his mother and father, know that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his employees and the law enforcement were performing their duties, that he had some highly questionable companions given he unabashedly hosted them to royal residences.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the monarchy did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his overspending with public money.

Trips were listed in official documents: helicopter transfers from the palace 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".

World of Deference

Furthermore the arrogance which expected deference when he entered a area or the supreme obsession about his designations used on his letterheads in letters to his personal acquaintances.

He could get away with it while his parent, who unaccountably indulged him, was still surviving. The sovereign did at least remove him of official roles and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his catastrophic and, as revealed, untruthful public statement six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last fortnight that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of books giving more grim details of his behavior and that of his companions.

Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could avoid lying about his interaction with a disgraced individual.

The public (and the journalists) were far in advance of the monarchy. There was nobody of any significance to defend him, a outcome of all those years of presumption.

Institutional Fears

The more intelligent family members recognized that. The one imperative is to hand down the crown, if not as previously at least complete and unblemished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to overcome the legacy of past sovereigns, showing they are valuable, accountable and reactive to their citizens.

His actions endangered all that in danger in an era when respect and secrecy is no longer enough.

Consequences

Eventually, the famously indecisive monarch was pressured further. There was little choice. The royal household had surrendered command of the narrative.

Currently the loss of honorifics and the ongoing and permanent personal shame that will afflict Andrew the most.

• Downgrading: Demoted to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Historical Precedent: The initial royal to lose his honorifics in contemporary era
• Naval Career: Particularly hurtful given his role in the Falklands war

He remains a counsellor of state, theoretically able to substitute for the king, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but neither of these will actually occur.

Coming Developments

Will people he meets still show respect to him? Might they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Will they even say Andrew,

Of course, he is not retiring to suburbia, but to the monarchy's extensive grounds at a royal residence.

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

This is not his former home, where he paid a token rent for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit distant, but even so it may not be far enough.

Outstanding Concerns

The situation continues. There are still documents in the custody of American legislators to be revealed.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Could parliament request additional information
• Monetary Probe: Or examine the misuse of taxpayer funds
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a police investigation into his actions

Perhaps for the present the reputational impact to the crown is contained. The statement from the royal household was plainly that the stripping of titles was what the monarch, and notably other senior family members, desired.

Changed Stance

The cessation of deception that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, significantly, the concise statement showed clearly that the institution were aligning with the complainant's account of events.

Even more, for the first time they finally showed concern for the survivors: "The censures are deemed necessary, despite the reality that he continues to deny the accusations against him."

Ultimately it is presumption, self-seeking and inactivity that will kill the institution. In his folly, self-indulgence and greed, Andrew appears never to have grasped that reality.