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The saga started with a solitary photograph, arguably the most consequential ever taken of a royal family member.

There stood the Duke of York, with his arm around a young woman, while another individual beamed conspiratorially in the backdrop.

Without that snapshot, captured at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the assertions of a teenager who declared she was transported across the ocean and compelled to have perfunctory sexual encounters with a prince of the monarchy?

A strange, revealing action by someone who had publicly asserted to have never been aware of her, said he could never have had intimate contact with her, and yet provided millions of monarchical money to settle a protracted legal case.

Over a Decade of Scandal

Considering this, discussions of the royals acting decisively to sever ties with Andrew are misguided. This controversy has persisted for the majority of 15 years since that picture, and a further photo of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a notorious individual came to light.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his siblings, maybe even his relatives, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Problematic Connections: They must have understood, if his staff and the law enforcement were doing their jobs, that he had some extremely unsavory associates given he publicly welcomed them to palaces.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the household did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources.

Travel were documented in public records: private aircraft transfers from the estate to a country club and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of commercial flights, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

World of Deference

Additionally the presumption which expected deference when he walked into a space or the supreme awareness about his honorifics used on his official documents in messages to his friends.

He could get away with it while his parent, who strangely spoiled him, was still living. The monarch did at least revoke him of public duties and military positions in the consequence of his disastrous and, as revealed, mendacious television interview six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last fortnight that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of books giving more troubling details of his conduct and that of his associates.

Additional revelations have again exposed Andrew's belief that he could avoid deceiving about his relationship with a notorious figure.

People (and the press) were far in advance of the royals. There was no one of any consequence to speak up for him, a outcome of all those years of arrogance.

Institutional Fears

The more astute monarchical figures recognized that. The primary concern is to pass on the monarchy, if not as heretofore at least whole and untarnished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to reverse the image of past sovereigns, proving they are valuable, dutiful and responsive to their people.

He was placing all that in danger in an era when submission and secrecy is no longer adequate.

Aftermath

Ultimately, the well-known indecisive monarch was pushed additional. There was little choice. The institution had relinquished authority of the narrative.

Currently the removal of designations and the continued and life-long personal shame that will hurt Andrew most deeply.

• Demotion: Reduced to just a private citizen
• Past Example: The first monarch to forfeit his titles in recent history
• Naval Career: Particularly painful given his role in the engagement

He is still a constitutional officer, on paper able to stand in for the sovereign, and he is still in the lineage to the throne, but not any of these will actually come to pass.

What Lies Ahead

Will people he comes across still acknowledge him? Might they still slip up and call him Sir? Would they say Andrew,

Certainly, he is not withdrawing to a common area, but to the monarchy's vast property at Sandringham.

At that location, he will be supplied by the king with one of the royal residences and given some sort of financial support.

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

Unresolved Issues

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

• Political Pressure: Will lawmakers request additional information
• Financial Investigation: Or scrutinize the misuse of public money
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a criminal probe into his behavior

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

A Shift in Position

An end to deception that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, significantly, the short announcement showed plainly that the institution were siding with the complainant's narrative of events.

Furthermore, for the premiere occasion they ultimately showed concern for the survivors: "The censures are judged required, despite the fact that he maintains his innocence of the allegations against him."

Ultimately it is entitlement, self-interest and laziness that will destroy the institution. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and venality, Andrew seems never to have understood that truth.