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It all began with a isolated photograph, arguably the most impactful ever captured of a member of the monarchy.

In the frame appeared the Duke of York, arm-in-arm a young woman, while an associate beamed knowingly in the rear.

Lacking that image, taken at a social event in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a adolescent who stated she was moved across the ocean and compelled to have brief intimate contact with a prince of the royal family?

An odd, revealing move by someone who had publicly asserted to have no known about her, asserted he could never have had relations with her, and yet handed over a large amount of monarchical funds to resolve a protracted legal case.

Years of Controversy

In this context, discussions of the royal family acting swiftly to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This affair has continued for the better part of 15 years since that picture, and an additional photo of Andrew walking amiably with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Arrogance: How long did his family members, possibly even his parents, know that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Questionable Associations: They must have known, if his employees and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some extremely unsavory companions given he openly hosted them to estates.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources.

Trips were listed in official documents: helicopter travel from the palace to a golf course and back again in time for dining, chartered planes instead of commercial flights, all for the benefit of "Airmiles Andy".

Existence of Entitlement

Furthermore the arrogance which expected deference when he walked into a space or the supreme consciousness about his designations used on his correspondence in messages to his personal acquaintances.

He avoided accountability while his matriarch, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still surviving. The sovereign did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the consequence of his disastrous and, it is now clear, untruthful media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last fortnight that events sped up, following the publication of biographical works giving more grim particulars of his actions and that of his connections.

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

Society (and the media) were far more perceptive of the royals. There was no one of any consequence to defend him, a consequence of all those years of hubris.

Monarchical Concerns

The wiser monarchical figures realized that. The one imperative is to transfer the crown, if not as heretofore at least whole and untarnished.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to overcome the image of earlier rulers, showing they are beneficial, responsible and attentive to their citizens.

He was placing all that in jeopardy in an time when submission and privacy is no longer enough.

Aftermath

Finally, the well-known indecisive king was pressured more. There was no other option. The royal household had surrendered command of the story.

Now it is the removal of designations and the ongoing and lifetime social disgrace that will hurt Andrew the most.

• Demotion: Lowered to just a commoner
• Past Example: The primary monarch to forfeit his designations in modern times
• Military Service: Especially stinging given his service in the conflict

He continues to be a counsellor of state, on paper able to stand in for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the crown, but none of these will ever come to pass.

What Lies Ahead

Do individuals he comes across still acknowledge him? Could they still slip up and call him Prince? Will they even say Andrew,

Of course, he is not retiring to suburbia, but to the royal family's large estate at a monarchical property.

At that location, he will be provided by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of personal stipend.

This is not his previous residence, where he paid a token lease for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit distant, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed.

Unresolved Issues

Matters remain unresolved. There are still records in the hands of American legislators to be made public.

• Parliamentary Interest: Might legislators seek further action
• Financial Investigation: Or examine the improper use of state resources
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior

Maybe for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the crown is limited. The statement from the institution was clearly that the stripping of titles was what the king, and particularly other senior family members, wanted.

Altered Approach

No more deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the short announcement showed evidently that the institution were aligning with the victim's narrative of occurrences.

Even more, for the premiere occasion they finally showed consideration for the victims: "The measures are judged required, despite the reality that he persists in refuting the allegations against him."

Ultimately it is presumption, self-seeking and indolence that will undermine the monarchy. In his foolishness, self-gratification and venality, Andrew appears never to have grasped that lesson.