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The saga started with a single photograph, possibly the most consequential ever snapped of a member of the monarchy.

In the frame appeared the Duke of York, standing closely beside a female youth, while an associate beamed conspiratorially in the backdrop.

Lacking that snapshot, captured at a gathering in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the allegations of a adolescent who stated she was trafficked across the sea and obliged to have cursory relations with a prince of the royal bloodline?

A curious, revealing gesture by someone who had publicly asserted to have no been aware of her, asserted he could never have had intimate contact with her, and yet provided millions of monarchical funds to avert a drawn-out lawsuit.

Over a Decade of Scandal

In this context, discussions of the royals acting decisively to distance themselves from Andrew are inaccurate. This affair has endured for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and a further image of Andrew strolling amiably with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Hubris: How long did his siblings, maybe even his relatives, realize that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Problematic Connections: They must have realized, if his aides and the law enforcement were fulfilling their roles, that he had some extremely unsavory companions given he unabashedly welcomed them to palaces.
• Monetary Excess: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds.

Travel were printed in royal annual reports: helicopter travel from the palace to a country club and back again in time for lunch, exclusive air travel instead of regular transport, all for the comfort of "the travel enthusiast".

Existence of Entitlement

Additionally the presumption which required subservience when he appeared in a area or the supreme obsession about his honorifics used on his letterheads in letters to his personal acquaintances.

He could get away with it while his matriarch, who inexplicably spoiled him, was still surviving. The Queen did at least revoke him of royal responsibilities and ceremonial ranks in the wake of his catastrophic and, we now know, mendacious public statement six years ago.

Latest Events

Just in the last 14 days that events progressed rapidly, following the publication of biographical works giving more grim information of his behavior and that of his connections.

Additional revelations have again highlighted Andrew's belief that he could get away with lying about his contact with a disgraced individual.

The public (and the press) were far in advance of the royals. There was not a single person of any consequence to speak up for him, a outcome of all those years of hubris.

Institutional Fears

The more astute monarchical figures realized that. The key objective is to hand down the monarchy, if not as previously at least complete and unstained.

For generations the last 190 years trying to overcome the image of past sovereigns, proving they are valuable, responsible and responsive to their subjects.

Andrew was putting all that in danger in an era when submission and privacy is no longer adequate.

Consequences

Finally, the famously hesitant monarch was pressured additional. There was no alternative. The institution had lost control of the narrative.

Currently the stripping of honorifics and the persistent and life-long personal shame that will hurt Andrew most deeply.

• Demotion: Reduced to just a private citizen
• Historical Precedent: The primary royal to lose his designations in recent history
• Naval Career: Especially hurtful given his duty in the conflict

He remains a counsellor of state, in principle able to stand in for the king, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but neither of these will ever happen.

Coming Developments

Can persons he encounters still defer to him? Will they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Might they say Andrew,

Of course, he is not moving to a common area, but to the royal family's extensive estate at Sandringham.

In that place, he will be provided by the sovereign with one of the estate properties and given some form of financial support.

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

Unresolved Issues

Matters remain unresolved. There are still files in the custody of US Congress to be made public.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Could legislators request additional information
• Financial Investigation: Or examine the improper use of public money
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a police investigation into his behavior

Perhaps for the time being the institutional damage to the institution is limited. The statement from the palace was plainly that the revocation of designations was what the monarch, and especially other senior family members, sought.

Changed Stance

No more illusion that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, significantly, the concise announcement showed clearly that the monarchy were supporting the complainant's narrative of incidents.

Additionally, for the initial instance they finally showed regard for the victims: "The measures are considered essential, despite the truth that he persists in refuting the allegations against him."

Finally it is presumption, self-interest and indolence that will undermine the crown. In his folly, self-indulgence and corruption, Andrew seems never to have learned that lesson.