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This episode commenced with a single photograph, possibly the most significant ever snapped of a royal family member.

There stood the Duke of York, standing closely beside a young woman, while another individual grinned suggestively in the backdrop.

Absent that image, shot at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the allegations of a adolescent who stated she was transported across the sea and compelled to have perfunctory relations with a prince of the monarchy?

A strange, telling gesture by someone who had publicly asserted to have not heard of her, said he could never have had sex with her, and yet handed over millions of his mother's money to settle a protracted lawsuit.

A Long Period of Controversy

Against this backdrop, conversations of the monarchy acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are misguided. This scandal has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that photograph, and a further image of Andrew walking amiably with a convicted sex offender surfaced.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his family members, maybe even his parents, realize that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his staff and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable friends given he openly hosted them to palaces.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the household did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his extravagance with public money.

Journeys were printed in public records: chopper transfers from the palace to a country club and back again in time for dining, exclusive air travel instead of commercial flights, all for the convenience of "the frequent flyer".

Existence of Entitlement

Furthermore the presumption which expected deference when he appeared in a area or the profound awareness about his honorifics used on his letterheads in messages to his personal acquaintances.

He could get away with it while his mother, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still living. The Queen did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and honorary colonelcies in the wake of his disastrous and, as revealed, untruthful public statement six years ago.

Recent Developments

It was only in the last 14 days that events sped up, following the publication of accounts giving more grim details of his actions and that of his companions.

More information have again highlighted Andrew's belief that he could avoid deceiving about his relationship with a disgraced individual.

The public (and the press) were far in advance of the royal family. There was not a single person of any significance to defend him, a result of all those years of presumption.

Monarchical Concerns

The more astute family members understood that. The one imperative is to hand down the monarchy, if not as previously at least complete and unblemished.

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

His actions endangered all that in peril in an era when respect and privacy is no longer sufficient.

The Fallout

Ultimately, the notoriously hesitant king was pressured further. There was no other option. The royal household had surrendered command of the story.

Now it is the removal of titles and the persistent and permanent social disgrace that will afflict Andrew the most.

• Downgrading: Reduced to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Past Example: The initial member to forfeit his honorifics in modern times
• Naval Career: Especially hurtful given his service in the engagement

He remains a royal advisor, on paper able to stand in for the king, and he is still eighth in line to the crown, but none of these will actually occur.

What Lies Ahead

Will people he meets still acknowledge him? Might they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Might they say Sir,

Certainly, he is not moving to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's extensive property at Sandringham.

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

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

Unresolved Issues

Matters remain unresolved. There are still documents in the possession of overseas authorities to be revealed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Will lawmakers request additional information
• Monetary Probe: Or examine the misuse of state resources
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his conduct

Possibly for the moment the harm to the monarchy to the institution is contained. The message from the palace was plainly that the stripping of titles was what the sovereign, and notably other senior royals, desired.

A Shift in Position

An end to deception that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, remarkably, the concise announcement showed clearly that the monarchy were aligning with the victim's account of events.

Even more, for the first time they ultimately showed concern for the survivors: "The censures are deemed necessary, despite the reality that he continues to deny the accusations against him."

Finally it is arrogance, self-interest and indolence that will undermine the institution. In his foolishness, personal excess and corruption, Andrew gives the impression never to have learned that lesson.