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This episode commenced with a isolated photograph, possibly the most impactful ever captured of a individual from the royal household.

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

Lacking that snapshot, shot at a social event in 2001, few would have credited the allegations of a teenager who said she was transported across the sea and compelled to have cursory sexual encounters with a prince of the royal family?

An odd, revealing gesture by someone who had openly stated to have never been aware of her, said he could not have had relations with her, and yet paid a large amount of family money to settle a protracted legal case.

Years of Controversy

Considering this, talk of the monarchy acting firmly to cut Andrew off are misguided. This scandal has persisted for the majority of 15 years since that image, and a further photo of Andrew strolling pleasantly with a notorious individual surfaced.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his siblings, perhaps even his relatives, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Questionable Associations: They must have known, if his staff and the law enforcement were performing their duties, that he had some extremely unsavory friends given he publicly welcomed them to royal residences.
• Financial Extravagance: If the family did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds.

Trips were listed in royal annual reports: helicopter transfers from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for lunch, exclusive air travel instead of regular transport, all for the convenience of "the travel enthusiast".

Existence of Entitlement

Then there was the presumption which required respect when he appeared in a room or the extreme obsession about his honorifics used on his letterheads in communication to his personal acquaintances.

He could get away with it while his parent, who strangely spoiled him, was still alive. The monarch did at least revoke him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the wake of his catastrophic and, we now know, deceptive media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last fortnight that events progressed rapidly, following the publication of accounts giving more disturbing details of his behavior and that of his associates.

Further disclosures have again highlighted Andrew's belief that he could avoid being untruthful about his interaction with a notorious figure.

People (and the media) were far ahead of the royals. There was nobody of any consequence to support him, a consequence of all those years of hubris.

Institutional Fears

The wiser royals recognized that. The one imperative is to pass on the crown, if not as before at least complete and untarnished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the legacy of past sovereigns, proving they are beneficial, responsible and attentive to their citizens.

Andrew was putting all that in peril in an age when respect and privacy is no longer enough.

Aftermath

Finally, the famously uncertain king was prodded additional. There was no other option. The palace had lost control of the narrative.

Currently the stripping of titles and the ongoing and permanent social disgrace that will hurt Andrew most severely.

• Demotion: Demoted to just a commoner
• Past Example: The initial member to forfeit his designations in modern times
• Military Service: Notably stinging given his role in the engagement

He is still a royal advisor, on paper able to stand in for the monarch, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but none of these will actually happen.

What Lies Ahead

Can persons he meets still show respect to him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Would they say Andrew,

Of course, he is not retiring to a common area, but to the monarchy's vast property at a royal residence.

In that place, he will be provided by the king with one of the estate properties and given some sort of personal stipend.

This is not his previous residence, where he paid a minimal rent for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit remote, but even so it may not be far enough.

Pending Matters

The situation continues. There are still documents in the custody of American legislators to be disclosed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Could parliament demand more
• Financial Investigation: Or investigate the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a police investigation into his behavior

Perhaps for the moment the reputational impact to the institution is restricted. The narrative from the palace was evidently that the stripping of titles was what the monarch, and notably other senior royals, wanted.

A Shift in Position

An end to pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, notably, the short statement showed plainly that the monarchy were supporting the complainant's account of incidents.

Furthermore, for the initial instance they finally showed regard for the affected individuals: "These actions are considered essential, despite the truth that he maintains his innocence of the allegations against him."

Ultimately it is presumption, self-seeking and indolence that will kill the crown. In his folly, personal excess and greed, Andrew seems never to have understood that reality.