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This episode commenced with a solitary photograph, arguably the most impactful ever taken of a member of the monarchy.

In the frame appeared the Duke of York, arm-in-arm a female youth, while another individual beamed conspiratorially in the background.

Lacking that photograph, taken at a social event in 2001, few would have credited the allegations of a adolescent who stated she was moved across the ocean and obliged to have perfunctory sexual encounters with a prince of the royal bloodline?

An odd, revealing action by someone who had overtly asserted to have no heard of her, asserted he could no have had sex with her, and yet handed over millions of his mother's resources to settle a drawn-out lawsuit.

A Long Period of Scandal

Considering this, discussions of the royals acting swiftly to sever ties with Andrew are misguided. This scandal has persisted for the majority of 15 years since that image, and another image of Andrew ambling amiably with a notorious individual came to light.

• Hubris: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his parents, realize that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his staff and the authorities were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable companions given he openly hosted them to estates.
• Financial Extravagance: If the family did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Journeys were listed in public records: private aircraft travel from the palace to a country club and back again in time for dining, private flights instead of regular transport, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

World of Deference

Furthermore the entitlement which expected respect when he appeared in a space or the extreme awareness about his honorifics used on his letterheads in communication to his personal acquaintances.

He avoided accountability while his mother, who strangely spoiled him, was still living. The Queen did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and honorary colonelcies in the aftermath of his ill-fated and, as revealed, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last two weeks that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of books giving more disturbing particulars of his conduct and that of his associates.

More information have again highlighted Andrew's thinking that he could escape deceiving about his contact with a convicted criminal.

Society (and the press) were far in advance of the monarchy. There was nobody of any consequence to defend him, a outcome of all those years of hubris.

Royal Worries

The more astute monarchical figures realized that. The primary concern is to transfer the institution, if not as before at least whole and unblemished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to overcome the reputation of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are beneficial, dutiful and reactive to their people.

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

The Fallout

Ultimately, the famously uncertain king was pushed more. There was no other option. The institution had surrendered command of the narrative.

Presently the loss of honorifics and the persistent and permanent social disgrace that will pain Andrew most severely.

• Downgrading: Demoted to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Prior Instance: The primary monarch to surrender his titles in modern times
• Naval Career: Particularly hurtful given his role in the Falklands war

He remains a constitutional officer, on paper able to act for the monarch, and he is still in the lineage to the monarchy, but not any of these will actually happen.

What Lies Ahead

Can persons he comes across still acknowledge him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Your Highness? Might they say Mr,

Certainly, he is not retiring to suburbia, but to the monarchy's vast estate at Sandringham.

In that place, he will be supplied by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of financial support.

This differs from his former home, where he paid a nominal lease for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit distant, but even so it may not be far enough.

Outstanding Concerns

Matters remain unresolved. There are still files in the custody of overseas authorities to be disclosed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Might parliament demand more
• Financial Investigation: Or investigate the improper use of state resources
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a police investigation into his behavior

Possibly for the moment the reputational impact to the institution is contained. The narrative from the institution was clearly that the removal of honorifics was what the king, and particularly other senior monarchical figures, wanted.

Changed Stance

No more deception that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, notably, the concise announcement showed evidently that the royals were siding with the accuser's version of events.

Even more, for the premiere occasion they finally showed regard for the victims: "The measures are considered essential, regardless of the truth that he persists in refuting the accusations against him."

In the end it is entitlement, self-seeking and inactivity that will kill the monarchy. In his folly, personal excess and corruption, Andrew appears never to have learned that truth.