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It all began with a single photograph, arguably the most significant ever taken of a individual from the royal household.

There stood the Duke of York, arm-in-arm a teenage girl, while another individual grinned conspiratorially in the rear.

Absent that image, shot at a social event in 2001, who would have believed the claims of a teenager who stated she was trafficked across the Atlantic and compelled to have cursory sexual encounters with a individual of the royal family?

A strange, indicative move by someone who had publicly asserted to have never heard of her, said he could never have had intimate contact with her, and yet handed over a large amount of family resources to settle a drawn-out lawsuit.

A Long Period of Scandal

Against this backdrop, conversations of the royal family acting swiftly to sever ties with Andrew are wide of the mark. This affair has continued for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and a further photo of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a notorious individual came to light.

• Self-importance: How long did his siblings, possibly even his parents, realize that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Problematic Connections: They must have understood, if his employees and the authorities were performing their duties, that he had some extremely unsavory companions given he openly hosted them to palaces.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Journeys were printed in public records: private aircraft travel from the estate to a country club and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of regular transport, all for the convenience of "the frequent flyer".

Existence of Entitlement

Then there was the presumption which expected respect when he walked into a room or the supreme awareness about his designations used on his official documents in communication to his friends.

He avoided accountability while his matriarch, who inexplicably pampered him, was still living. The Queen did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his disastrous and, we now know, deceptive public statement six years ago.

Latest Events

It was only in the last 14 days that events progressed rapidly, following the release of books giving more grim details of his conduct and that of his connections.

More information have again highlighted Andrew's assumption that he could avoid lying about his interaction with a convicted criminal.

Society (and the journalists) were far in advance of the royals. There was nobody of any importance to defend him, a consequence of all those years of arrogance.

Monarchical Concerns

The more astute monarchical figures understood that. The one imperative is to transfer the crown, if not as previously at least intact and unstained.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of past sovereigns, showing they are beneficial, accountable and reactive to their people.

He was placing all that in danger in an time when respect and privacy is no longer adequate.

Aftermath

Finally, the notoriously uncertain sovereign was pushed more. There was no other option. The institution had relinquished authority of the account.

Presently the stripping of designations and the ongoing and lifetime social disgrace that will pain Andrew most deeply.

• Reduction: Reduced to just a commoner
• Historical Precedent: The primary royal to surrender his honorifics in contemporary era
• Military Service: Particularly stinging given his role in the engagement

He remains a royal advisor, in principle able to substitute for the sovereign, and he is still in the lineage to the throne, but not any of these will truly happen.

Coming Developments

Do individuals he encounters still show respect to him? Will they still make mistakes and call him Sir? Would they say Sir,

Of course, he is not withdrawing to suburbia, but to the royal family's extensive property at Sandringham.

In that place, he will be provided by the king with one of the estate properties and given some type of private allowance.

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

Unresolved Issues

The situation continues. There are still records in the custody of American legislators to be disclosed.

• Political Pressure: Could parliament request additional information
• Financial Investigation: Or scrutinize the misuse of state resources
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a criminal probe into his actions

Perhaps for the present the reputational impact to the institution is restricted. The statement from the royal household was plainly that the removal of titles was what the king, and especially other senior royals, sought.

A Shift in Position

An end to pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, notably, the concise communication showed clearly that the monarchy were aligning with the accuser's version of occurrences.

Even more, for the first time they eventually showed regard for the victims: "The censures are considered essential, regardless of the truth that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, self-seeking and laziness that will undermine the crown. In his folly, self-gratification and greed, Andrew seems never to have grasped that reality.