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This episode commenced with a solitary photograph, arguably the most consequential ever captured of a member of the monarchy.

Present was the Duke of York, with his arm around a female youth, while another individual grinned knowingly in the background.

Absent that snapshot, shot at a social event in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a adolescent who stated she was trafficked across the Atlantic and forced to have cursory sexual encounters with a individual of the monarchy?

A curious, revealing gesture by someone who had publicly claimed to have never been aware of her, said he could not have had relations with her, and yet paid millions of family funds to settle a drawn-out court action.

Years of Controversy

Considering this, talk of the monarchy acting swiftly to cut Andrew off are inaccurate. This scandal has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and a further snapshot of Andrew ambling congenially with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Self-importance: For what duration did his family members, maybe even his parents, know that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have realized, if his staff and the authorities were performing their duties, that he had some highly questionable companions given he publicly welcomed them to estates.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with state resources.

Travel were documented in public records: private aircraft flights from the estate to a sporting venue and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of commercial flights, all for the comfort of "the travel enthusiast".

Existence of Entitlement

Then there was the presumption which required respect when he appeared in a area or the supreme consciousness about his designations used on his correspondence in letters to his personal acquaintances.

He managed to escape consequences while his matriarch, who unaccountably indulged him, was still surviving. The Queen did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the consequence of his catastrophic and, we now know, untruthful media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

Just in the last 14 days that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of accounts giving more disturbing details of his conduct and that of his connections.

More information have again highlighted Andrew's thinking that he could escape being untruthful about his relationship with a notorious figure.

The public (and the media) were far more perceptive of the monarchy. There was no one of any significance to defend him, a consequence of all those years of arrogance.

Royal Worries

The more astute family members realized that. The one imperative is to hand down the institution, if not as before at least complete and unblemished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to reverse the image of previous monarchs, proving they are useful, accountable and responsive to their citizens.

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

Consequences

Eventually, the famously hesitant sovereign was pushed more. There was no other option. The palace had relinquished authority of the narrative.

Now it is the loss of honorifics and the persistent and permanent personal shame that will pain Andrew most deeply.

• Downgrading: Lowered to just a commoner
• Historical Precedent: The first monarch to lose his honorifics in contemporary era
• Armed Forces: Particularly hurtful given his service in the engagement

He is still a royal advisor, in principle able to stand in for the sovereign, and he is still eighth in line to the throne, but none of these will actually come to pass.

Coming Developments

Can persons he meets still defer to him? Might they still slip up and call him Prince? Might they say Sir,

Naturally, he is not moving to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's large estate at Sandringham.

In that place, he will be provided by the king with one of the grace and favour houses and given some form of personal stipend.

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

Pending Matters

The situation continues. There are still documents in the custody of US Congress to be made public.

• Parliamentary Interest: Might legislators request additional information
• Financial Investigation: Or examine the misuse of state resources
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his actions

Perhaps for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the institution is restricted. The narrative from the palace was evidently that the stripping of honorifics was what the sovereign, and especially other senior monarchical figures, wanted.

A Shift in Position

No more illusion that Andrew was acting willingly. And, remarkably, the brief announcement showed evidently that the royals were supporting the accuser's version of events.

Furthermore, for the initial instance they ultimately showed consideration for the victims: "The censures are considered essential, despite the reality that he persists in refuting the accusations against him."

In the end it is arrogance, self-seeking and inactivity that will destroy the institution. In his stupidity, personal excess and greed, Andrew appears never to have understood that reality.