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This episode commenced with a single photograph, possibly the most impactful ever taken of a member of the monarchy.

In the frame appeared the Duke of York, arm-in-arm a teenage girl, while a companion smiled knowingly in the backdrop.

Without that image, taken at a gathering in 2001, few would have credited the allegations of a teenager who said she was trafficked across the Atlantic and forced to have cursory intimate contact with a member of the royal bloodline?

An odd, indicative action by someone who had openly asserted to have never been aware of her, said he could no have had sex with her, and yet handed over millions of his mother's resources to resolve a protracted court action.

A Long Period of Disgrace

Against this backdrop, discussions of the royal family acting swiftly to cut Andrew off are misguided. This affair has endured for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and a further snapshot of Andrew walking pleasantly with a notorious individual surfaced.

• Hubris: For what duration did his family members, possibly even his relatives, realize that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have understood, if his aides and the law enforcement were performing their duties, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he publicly welcomed them to estates.
• Financial Extravagance: If the monarchy did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds.

Journeys were listed in royal annual reports: helicopter travel from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, private flights instead of commercial flights, all for the comfort of "Airmiles Andy".

World of Deference

Furthermore the arrogance which expected subservience when he walked into a room or the extreme obsession about his designations used on his letterheads in communication to his personal acquaintances.

He managed to escape consequences while his matriarch, who inexplicably spoiled him, was still surviving. The sovereign did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the wake of his catastrophic and, it is now clear, mendacious public statement six years ago.

Latest Events

It was only in the last 14 days that events progressed rapidly, following the publication of biographical works giving more troubling details of his conduct and that of his connections.

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

The public (and the media) were far more perceptive of the royals. There was no one of any consequence to support him, a consequence of all those years of presumption.

Institutional Fears

The more astute monarchical figures realized that. The key objective is to pass on the institution, if not as before at least intact and unblemished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are valuable, accountable and reactive to their subjects.

Andrew was putting all that in jeopardy in an era when respect and secrecy is no longer enough.

Aftermath

Eventually, the notoriously uncertain monarch was pushed more. There was no other option. The palace had surrendered command of the narrative.

Currently the removal of designations and the continued and lifetime social disgrace that will afflict Andrew the most.

• Downgrading: Lowered to just a commoner
• Historical Precedent: The initial member to lose his titles in recent history
• Military Service: Particularly hurtful given his duty in the conflict

He is still a constitutional officer, in principle able to stand in for the monarch, and he is still in the succession to the monarchy, but neither of these will actually come to pass.

Coming Developments

Can persons he encounters still acknowledge him? Will they still slip up and call him Prince? Will they even say Mr,

Naturally, he is not retiring to an ordinary town, but to the monarchy's vast property at a monarchical property.

There, he will be furnished by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of personal stipend.

This is not his previous residence, where he paid a nominal lease for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit distant, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Unresolved Issues

The situation continues. There are still files in the hands of American legislators to be revealed.

• Political Pressure: Will lawmakers seek further action
• Monetary Probe: Or scrutinize the improper use of public money
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a criminal probe into his actions

Maybe for the moment the reputational impact to the monarchy is limited. The narrative from the institution was clearly that the removal of titles was what the monarch, and particularly other senior monarchical figures, desired.

Altered Approach

An end to pretence that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, remarkably, the brief announcement showed plainly that the institution were supporting the accuser's account of occurrences.

Additionally, for the premiere occasion they finally showed concern for the victims: "These actions are considered essential, despite the fact that he maintains his innocence of the claims against him."

Finally it is entitlement, self-interest and indolence that will undermine the institution. In his folly, personal excess and corruption, Andrew appears never to have understood that reality.