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This episode commenced with a isolated photograph, possibly the most significant ever captured of a member of the monarchy.

There stood the Duke of York, arm-in-arm a female youth, while an associate beamed suggestively in the backdrop.

Absent that image, taken at a social event in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a teenager who declared she was trafficked across the sea and compelled to have cursory sexual encounters with a member of the royal bloodline?

An odd, telling action by someone who had openly asserted to have no known about her, claimed he could not have had intimate contact with her, and yet paid a substantial sum of monarchical money to resolve a protracted court action.

Years of Controversy

Against this backdrop, conversations of the royals acting decisively to distance themselves from Andrew are wide of the mark. This scandal has continued for the majority of 15 years since that image, and another snapshot of Andrew walking amiably with a convicted sex offender emerged.

• Self-importance: For what duration did his siblings, perhaps even his mother and father, know that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his staff and the law enforcement were performing their duties, that he had some extremely unsavory companions given he unabashedly invited them to palaces.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his overspending with public money.

Journeys were listed in royal annual reports: private aircraft transfers from the estate to a golf course and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of regular transport, all for the benefit of "the travel enthusiast".

World of Deference

Furthermore the arrogance which demanded subservience when he appeared in a space or the supreme consciousness about his royal titles used on his correspondence in communication to his personal acquaintances.

He could get away with it while his parent, who inexplicably spoiled him, was still living. The sovereign did at least revoke him of public duties and ceremonial ranks in the aftermath of his ill-fated and, it is now clear, deceptive television interview six years ago.

Recent Developments

It was only in the last fortnight that events sped up, following the publication of books giving more troubling particulars of his conduct and that of his connections.

Additional revelations have again exposed Andrew's belief that he could get away with deceiving about his contact with a convicted criminal.

Society (and the journalists) were far ahead of the royals. There was not a single person of any importance to speak up for him, a result of all those years of hubris.

Institutional Fears

The more astute monarchical figures understood that. The key objective is to transfer the institution, if not as heretofore at least complete and unblemished.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to undo the image of previous monarchs, showing they are valuable, responsible and responsive to their people.

His actions endangered all that in jeopardy in an time when deference and privacy is no longer adequate.

Aftermath

Ultimately, the notoriously hesitant sovereign was pushed further. There was little choice. The palace had relinquished authority of the account.

Presently the loss of designations and the persistent and life-long social disgrace that will pain Andrew most deeply.

• Demotion: Reduced to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Prior Instance: The primary member to surrender his titles in contemporary era
• Naval Career: Particularly stinging given his service in the conflict

He is still a counsellor of state, in principle able to act for the monarch, and he is still in the succession to the monarchy, but none of these will actually come to pass.

Future Prospects

Can persons he meets still acknowledge him? Could they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Would they say Sir,

Naturally, he is not moving to a common area, but to the monarchy's extensive estate at a royal residence.

At that location, he will be furnished by the king with one of the estate properties and given some form of financial support.

It is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a minimal payment for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit far, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed.

Unresolved Issues

This is not over. There are still files in the possession of US Congress to be revealed.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Will legislators seek further action
• Fiscal Review: Or investigate the misuse of taxpayer funds
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a police investigation into his behavior

Possibly for the present the reputational impact to the institution is limited. The statement from the institution was clearly that the revocation of titles was what the sovereign, and especially other senior family members, sought.

Altered Approach

The cessation of illusion that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, significantly, the concise statement showed plainly that the institution were siding with the complainant's version of incidents.

Furthermore, for the initial instance they eventually showed consideration for the victims: "The censures are considered essential, despite the reality that he persists in refuting the allegations against him."

In the end it is entitlement, self-seeking and laziness that will kill the crown. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and corruption, Andrew seems never to have understood that truth.