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It all began with a solitary photograph, possibly the most significant ever captured of a individual from the royal household.

In the frame appeared the Duke of York, arm-in-arm a teenage girl, while another individual grinned conspiratorially in the rear.

Lacking that snapshot, taken at a social event in 2001, who would have believed the claims of a young woman who stated she was moved across the ocean and obliged to have cursory relations with a prince of the royal family?

An odd, telling move by someone who had overtly asserted to have never heard of her, claimed he could not have had relations with her, and yet paid a large amount of monarchical resources to resolve a protracted lawsuit.

Over a Decade of Scandal

Against this backdrop, conversations of the royals acting decisively to sever ties with Andrew are wide of the mark. This scandal has endured for the majority of 15 years since that photograph, and a further snapshot of Andrew strolling pleasantly with a convicted sex offender surfaced.

• Arrogance: How long did his family members, perhaps even his parents, realize that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his employees and the authorities were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable associates given he publicly hosted them to royal residences.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds.

Journeys were listed in public records: helicopter flights from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for lunch, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

World of Deference

Furthermore the arrogance which demanded respect when he appeared in a space or the extreme consciousness about his royal titles used on his letterheads in letters to his associates.

He could get away with it while his parent, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still living. The sovereign did at least strip him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the wake of his catastrophic and, it is now clear, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Recent Developments

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

Further disclosures have again exposed Andrew's thinking that he could get away with being untruthful about his relationship with a disgraced individual.

The public (and the press) were far more perceptive of the royal family. There was no one of any consequence to speak up for him, a result of all those years of hubris.

Institutional Fears

The more astute monarchical figures recognized that. The one imperative is to transfer the institution, if not as previously at least whole and unblemished.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of previous monarchs, showing they are valuable, responsible and attentive to their subjects.

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

The Fallout

Eventually, the famously indecisive sovereign was prodded additional. There was little choice. The palace had lost control of the story.

Now it is the removal of honorifics and the ongoing and life-long public humiliation that will hurt Andrew most severely.

• Downgrading: Demoted to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Prior Instance: The primary royal to forfeit his titles in modern times
• Military Service: Particularly stinging given his service in the Falklands war

He remains a counsellor of state, on paper able to stand in for the king, and he is still eighth in line to the crown, but none of these will truly happen.

Coming Developments

Will people he meets still acknowledge him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Your Highness? Would they say Sir,

Certainly, he is not retiring to an ordinary town, but to the monarchy's large grounds at a royal residence.

There, he will be supplied by the monarch with one of the estate properties and given some type of financial support.

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

Unresolved Issues

The situation continues. There are still records in the possession of overseas authorities to be revealed.

• Political Pressure: Might parliament request additional information
• Fiscal Review: Or scrutinize the misuse of state resources
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a police investigation into his behavior

Possibly for the present the reputational impact to the institution is restricted. The statement from the institution was evidently that the stripping of designations was what the king, and notably other senior royals, wanted.

Altered Approach

The cessation of deception that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, significantly, the brief announcement showed clearly that the institution were siding with the complainant's narrative of incidents.

Additionally, for the initial instance they finally showed consideration for the victims: "The measures are deemed necessary, regardless of the reality that he persists in refuting the claims against him."

In the end it is presumption, self-seeking and indolence that will undermine the crown. In his foolishness, personal excess and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that truth.