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The saga started with a isolated photograph, arguably the most impactful ever captured of a member of the monarchy.

In the frame appeared the Duke of York, standing closely beside a female youth, while a companion smiled conspiratorially in the background.

Without that photograph, taken at a social event in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a adolescent who declared she was transported across the ocean and obliged to have perfunctory sexual encounters with a individual of the monarchy?

A curious, revealing action by someone who had overtly stated to have not heard of her, claimed he could never have had relations with her, and yet provided a large amount of family money to resolve a drawn-out lawsuit.

Years of Disgrace

Considering this, talk of the royal family acting swiftly to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This affair has endured for the better part of 15 years since that image, and a further image of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a disgraced financier surfaced.

• Hubris: For what duration did his family members, perhaps even his parents, realize that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Problematic Connections: They must have understood, if his staff and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable companions given he openly welcomed them to royal residences.
• Monetary Excess: If the family did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his overspending with taxpayer funds.

Travel were documented in public records: helicopter transfers from the palace to a sporting venue and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of regular transport, all for the convenience of "Airmiles Andy".

Existence of Entitlement

Furthermore the entitlement which demanded deference when he appeared in a room or the profound obsession about his royal titles used on his official documents in communication to his associates.

He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who unaccountably indulged him, was still living. The Queen did at least strip him of official roles and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his ill-fated and, we now know, mendacious public statement six years ago.

Latest Events

Merely in the last 14 days that events accelerated, following the release of accounts giving more disturbing details of his conduct and that of his connections.

Further disclosures have again exposed Andrew's belief that he could avoid lying about his contact with a convicted criminal.

Society (and the journalists) were far in advance of the royal family. There was nobody of any significance to defend him, a outcome of all those years of arrogance.

Royal Worries

The more astute royals recognized that. The key objective is to pass on the crown, if not as heretofore at least whole and unstained.

For generations the last 190 years trying to overcome the reputation of previous monarchs, proving they are useful, responsible and attentive to their people.

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

Aftermath

Eventually, the famously hesitant monarch was prodded additional. There was little choice. The institution had lost control of the account.

Now it is the stripping of honorifics and the persistent and life-long social disgrace that will afflict Andrew the most.

• Downgrading: Demoted to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Historical Precedent: The first royal to forfeit his honorifics in recent history
• Military Service: Particularly painful given his duty in the conflict

He is still a constitutional officer, theoretically able to substitute for the king, and he is still in the succession to the monarchy, but none of these will ever happen.

Coming Developments

Can persons he comes across still acknowledge him? Will they still forget themselves and call him Your Highness? Would they say Sir,

Naturally, he is not retiring to an ordinary town, but to the royal family's extensive grounds at a monarchical property.

There, he will be provided by the king with one of the grace and favour houses and given some form of financial support.

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

Unresolved Issues

Matters remain unresolved. There are still files in the custody of overseas authorities to be revealed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Could legislators request additional information
• Monetary Probe: Or examine the misuse of public money
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a police investigation into his conduct

Perhaps for the moment the institutional damage to the monarchy is restricted. The message from the royal household was clearly that the revocation of honorifics was what the sovereign, and notably other senior family members, desired.

Changed Stance

No more pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, remarkably, the brief communication showed plainly that the monarchy were siding with the victim's version of incidents.

Additionally, for the initial instance they ultimately showed consideration for the victims: "The censures are judged required, regardless of the reality that he continues to deny the accusations against him."

Ultimately it is presumption, selfishness and laziness that will destroy the institution. In his folly, self-gratification and venality, Andrew seems never to have grasped that lesson.