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It all began with a isolated photograph, arguably the most consequential ever captured of a royal family member.

There stood the Duke of York, standing closely beside a young woman, while another individual beamed conspiratorially in the background.

Absent that photograph, captured at a party in 2001, who would have believed the assertions of a adolescent who said she was transported across the Atlantic and obliged to have perfunctory relations with a prince of the royal bloodline?

A strange, indicative action by someone who had publicly claimed to have not been aware of her, claimed he could never have had relations with her, and yet handed over millions of his mother's resources to avert a drawn-out legal case.

A Long Period of Disgrace

Against this backdrop, discussions of the royal family acting decisively to distance themselves from Andrew are misguided. This scandal has continued for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and a further photo of Andrew walking amiably with a convicted sex offender surfaced.

• Arrogance: For what duration did his siblings, perhaps even his parents, realize that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have understood, if his employees and the authorities were performing their duties, that he had some highly questionable companions given he publicly welcomed them to palaces.
• Financial Extravagance: If the household did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with state resources.

Journeys were documented in royal annual reports: helicopter travel from the estate to a sporting venue and back again in time for midday meal, private flights instead of regular transport, all for the benefit of "the travel enthusiast".

World of Deference

Additionally the presumption which expected deference when he appeared in a room or the extreme awareness about his designations used on his correspondence in communication to his friends.

He avoided accountability while his matriarch, who inexplicably spoiled him, was still alive. The Queen did at least strip him of official roles and military positions in the aftermath of his ill-fated and, we now know, untruthful television interview six years ago.

Latest Events

It was only in the last two weeks that events sped up, following the issuance of books giving more disturbing information of his actions and that of his companions.

More information have again exposed Andrew's belief that he could avoid lying about his contact with a disgraced individual.

People (and the media) were far more perceptive of the monarchy. There was no one of any importance to speak up for him, a consequence of all those years of hubris.

Monarchical Concerns

The more astute family members recognized that. The one imperative is to pass on the crown, if not as heretofore at least intact and unstained.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to overcome the legacy of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are useful, accountable and attentive to their subjects.

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

Aftermath

Eventually, the notoriously indecisive king was prodded additional. There was little choice. The institution had relinquished authority of the account.

Currently the stripping of honorifics and the persistent and life-long personal shame that will pain Andrew the most.

• Downgrading: Demoted to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Prior Instance: The initial member to forfeit his titles in contemporary era
• Naval Career: Especially painful given his role in the conflict

He continues to be a constitutional officer, in principle able to stand in for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the monarchy, but neither of these will actually occur.

Future Prospects

Do individuals he comes across still show respect to him? Could they still make mistakes and call him Sir? Will they even say Sir,

Naturally, he is not withdrawing to a common area, but to the sovereign's large estate at Sandringham.

There, he will be furnished by the king with one of the grace and favour houses and given some form of personal stipend.

This differs from his former home, where he paid a minimal rent for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit remote, but even so it may not be far enough.

Pending Matters

This is not over. There are still documents in the possession of overseas authorities to be disclosed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Will legislators seek further action
• Monetary Probe: Or examine the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a police investigation into his behavior

Maybe for the present the institutional damage to the crown is limited. The message from the institution was evidently that the removal of honorifics was what the sovereign, and especially other senior family members, sought.

Changed Stance

An end to illusion that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, remarkably, the short statement showed plainly that the monarchy were supporting the accuser's version of occurrences.

Even more, for the premiere occasion they eventually showed concern for the affected individuals: "These actions are considered essential, regardless of the fact that he persists in refuting the allegations against him."

In the end it is arrogance, self-seeking and laziness that will undermine the crown. In his folly, personal excess and greed, Andrew appears never to have grasped that truth.