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The saga started with a single photograph, possibly the most impactful ever snapped of a member of the monarchy.

There stood the Duke of York, standing closely beside a teenage girl, while a companion beamed conspiratorially in the background.

Lacking that snapshot, shot at a party in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a adolescent who declared she was moved across the ocean and obliged to have perfunctory sexual encounters with a member of the royal bloodline?

A curious, telling gesture by someone who had openly claimed to have not been aware of her, asserted he could not have had relations with her, and yet handed over millions of family money to avert a drawn-out lawsuit.

A Long Period of Scandal

In this context, conversations of the monarchy acting decisively to cut Andrew off are inaccurate. This scandal has continued for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and a further photo of Andrew walking congenially with a notorious individual emerged.

• Self-importance: For what duration did his brothers and sisters, maybe even his relatives, know that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have understood, if his aides and the authorities were doing their jobs, that he had some highly questionable friends given he unabashedly invited them to royal residences.
• Monetary Excess: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with public money.

Journeys were documented in official documents: helicopter travel from the royal residence to a country club and back again in time for lunch, private flights instead of regular transport, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

A Life of Privilege

Additionally the presumption which expected deference when he appeared in a room or the profound consciousness about his royal titles used on his letterheads in communication to his personal acquaintances.

He could get away with it while his parent, who strangely pampered him, was still alive. The sovereign did at least revoke him of public duties and military positions in the aftermath of his catastrophic and, we now know, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last fortnight that events sped up, following the release of books giving more disturbing information of his conduct and that of his associates.

More information have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could avoid deceiving about his interaction with a convicted criminal.

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

Institutional Fears

The more intelligent royals realized that. The one imperative is to pass on the crown, if not as before at least intact and unblemished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to overcome the legacy of earlier rulers, proving they are useful, accountable and attentive to their citizens.

Andrew was putting all that in danger in an era when submission and privacy is no longer enough.

Aftermath

Eventually, the famously indecisive monarch was prodded further. There was no other option. The institution had surrendered command of the account.

Currently the loss of titles and the ongoing and lifetime public humiliation that will pain Andrew most severely.

• Downgrading: Demoted to just a commoner
• Historical Precedent: The first royal to surrender his titles in recent history
• Armed Forces: Particularly hurtful given his role in the Falklands war

He continues to be a royal advisor, theoretically able to substitute for the monarch, and he is still in the lineage to the throne, but none of these will truly come to pass.

Future Prospects

Will people he encounters still show respect to him? Might they still slip up and call him Sir? Might they say Andrew,

Of course, he is not retiring to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's large estate at a royal residence.

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

It is not his former home, where he paid a nominal lease for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit distant, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed.

Pending Matters

The situation continues. There are still files in the hands of overseas authorities to be made public.

• Political Pressure: Could legislators request additional information
• Monetary Probe: Or examine the improper use of public money
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a police investigation into his actions

Possibly for the moment the harm to the monarchy to the institution is contained. The narrative from the palace was clearly that the removal of designations was what the monarch, and notably other senior monarchical figures, wanted.

Changed Stance

The cessation of illusion that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, significantly, the concise communication showed clearly that the institution were aligning with the complainant's narrative of occurrences.

Additionally, for the first time they eventually showed concern for the survivors: "These actions are judged required, notwithstanding the truth that he maintains his innocence of the allegations against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, self-seeking and inactivity that will destroy the institution. In his stupidity, self-gratification and corruption, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that reality.