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

In the frame appeared the Duke of York, standing closely beside a female youth, while another individual beamed knowingly in the background.

Lacking that snapshot, captured at a gathering in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a teenager who said she was transported across the sea and compelled to have cursory sexual encounters with a prince of the royal bloodline?

An odd, telling action by someone who had publicly claimed to have never heard of her, said he could never have had relations with her, and yet paid a large amount of family funds to avert a protracted legal case.

Over a Decade of Disgrace

In this context, talk of the monarchy acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This scandal has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that photograph, and a further image of Andrew walking congenially with a convicted sex offender surfaced.

• Hubris: To what extent did his family members, possibly even his mother and father, know that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his staff and the authorities were doing their jobs, that he had some extremely unsavory associates given he unabashedly welcomed them to royal residences.
• Financial Extravagance: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with public money.

Trips were printed in public records: chopper transfers from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

World of Deference

Additionally the presumption which required respect when he walked into a room or the extreme consciousness about his honorifics used on his official documents in letters to his associates.

He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who inexplicably spoiled him, was still surviving. The sovereign did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and ceremonial ranks in the aftermath of his disastrous and, we now know, deceptive public statement six years ago.

Recent Developments

Merely in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the release of books giving more grim particulars of his actions and that of his companions.

Further disclosures have again exposed Andrew's assumption that he could avoid being untruthful about his interaction with a notorious figure.

People (and the media) were far ahead of the royal family. There was no one of any significance to defend him, a consequence of all those years of arrogance.

Institutional Fears

The more astute royals recognized that. The one imperative is to transfer the institution, if not as heretofore at least whole and unblemished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to reverse the image of previous monarchs, demonstrating they are beneficial, dutiful and reactive to their people.

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

The Fallout

Finally, the famously indecisive sovereign was prodded additional. There was little choice. The royal household had surrendered command of the account.

Currently the stripping of titles and the ongoing and permanent public humiliation that will afflict Andrew most severely.

• Downgrading: Demoted to just a private citizen
• Historical Precedent: The first member to surrender his honorifics in contemporary era
• Military Service: Particularly painful given his duty in the Falklands war

He continues to be a counsellor of state, on paper able to act for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but not any of these will truly occur.

What Lies Ahead

Can persons he encounters still acknowledge him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Would they say Mr,

Certainly, he is not retiring to suburbia, but to the royal family's extensive grounds at Sandringham.

In that place, he will be supplied by the king with one of the royal residences and given some form of personal stipend.

This differs from his former home, where he paid a nominal payment for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit distant, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Outstanding Concerns

This is not over. There are still records in the custody of US Congress to be made public.

• Parliamentary Interest: Will lawmakers request additional information
• Fiscal Review: Or examine the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a police investigation into his actions

Perhaps for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the institution is limited. The narrative from the royal household was plainly that the stripping of titles was what the king, and notably other senior family members, sought.

Altered Approach

An end to pretence that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, notably, the short statement showed plainly that the royals were supporting the accuser's version of occurrences.

Additionally, for the premiere occasion they finally showed concern for the affected individuals: "These actions are deemed necessary, despite the truth that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

Finally it is entitlement, self-interest and indolence that will destroy the monarchy. In his stupidity, personal excess and corruption, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that reality.