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This episode commenced with a single photograph, perhaps the most consequential ever snapped of a member of the monarchy.

In the frame appeared the Duke of York, with his arm around a female youth, while an associate grinned knowingly in the background.

Lacking that snapshot, taken at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a teenager who stated she was trafficked across the sea and forced to have brief sexual encounters with a member of the royal family?

An odd, telling action by someone who had overtly claimed to have no heard of her, said he could never have had sex with her, and yet handed over a substantial sum of monarchical money to resolve a long-delayed legal case.

Over a Decade of Scandal

Against this backdrop, talk of the royal family acting decisively to distance themselves from Andrew are inaccurate. This controversy has continued for the majority of 15 years since that image, and a further photo of Andrew strolling amiably with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his siblings, perhaps even his relatives, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Questionable Associations: They must have realized, if his staff and the law enforcement were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable companions given he unabashedly welcomed them to estates.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the household did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Trips were listed in royal annual reports: private aircraft transfers from the estate to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, exclusive air travel instead of commercial flights, all for the comfort of "the frequent flyer".

A Life of Privilege

Additionally the presumption which required subservience when he entered a room or the supreme awareness about his honorifics used on his official documents in messages to his associates.

He managed to escape consequences while his matriarch, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still living. The sovereign did at least revoke him of royal responsibilities and ceremonial ranks in the wake of his ill-fated and, as revealed, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last two weeks that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of accounts giving more grim information of his behavior and that of his connections.

Additional revelations have again highlighted Andrew's assumption that he could avoid deceiving about his relationship with a notorious figure.

People (and the media) were far in advance of the royal family. There was not a single person of any consequence to support him, a result of all those years of presumption.

Institutional Fears

The wiser royals recognized that. The one imperative is to pass on the institution, if not as heretofore at least whole and unblemished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to overcome the image of past sovereigns, showing they are beneficial, responsible and responsive to their subjects.

His actions endangered all that in jeopardy in an age when respect and secrecy is no longer adequate.

Consequences

Eventually, the famously indecisive king was pressured more. There was no other option. The royal household had surrendered command of the narrative.

Currently the stripping of designations and the ongoing and life-long personal shame that will pain Andrew the most.

• Reduction: Lowered to just a commoner
• Prior Instance: The primary monarch to surrender his designations in recent history
• Armed Forces: Particularly painful given his role in the conflict

He remains a royal advisor, on paper able to act for the king, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but none of these will truly occur.

Coming Developments

Will people he comes across still defer to him? Will they still slip up and call him Prince? Would they say Sir,

Certainly, he is not withdrawing to suburbia, but to the royal family's vast grounds at a royal residence.

There, he will be supplied by the king with one of the grace and favour houses and given some form of personal stipend.

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

Pending Matters

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

• Political Pressure: Might legislators demand more
• Monetary Probe: Or investigate the improper use of public money
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a police investigation into his conduct

Possibly for the present the reputational impact to the institution is contained. The narrative from the institution was plainly that the stripping of designations was what the sovereign, and notably other senior monarchical figures, wanted.

Changed Stance

No more illusion that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, significantly, the brief communication showed clearly that the institution were supporting the complainant's account of incidents.

Additionally, for the initial instance they eventually showed concern for the survivors: "These actions are judged required, notwithstanding the truth that he continues to deny the accusations against him."

Finally it is entitlement, self-interest and laziness that will destroy the institution. In his foolishness, self-gratification and corruption, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that lesson.