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The saga started with a isolated photograph, arguably the most consequential ever captured of a individual from the royal household.

There stood the Duke of York, arm-in-arm a female youth, while a companion grinned suggestively in the rear.

Absent that snapshot, taken at a party in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a adolescent who stated she was moved across the Atlantic and forced to have cursory relations with a prince of the royal bloodline?

A curious, indicative gesture by someone who had publicly stated to have never been aware of her, said he could not have had sex with her, and yet paid a large amount of his mother's resources to avert a protracted court action.

A Long Period of Disgrace

In this context, conversations of the monarchy acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are misguided. This controversy has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that photograph, and another snapshot of Andrew walking pleasantly with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Self-importance: For what duration did his siblings, perhaps even his relatives, understand that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Problematic Connections: They must have realized, if his aides and the law enforcement were performing their duties, that he had some highly questionable companions given he openly hosted them to palaces.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the monarchy did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his overspending with state resources.

Travel were listed in royal annual reports: chopper transfers from the palace to a golf course and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of regular transport, all for the convenience of "the frequent flyer".

A Life of Privilege

Additionally the entitlement which demanded respect when he entered a area or the extreme awareness about his designations used on his correspondence in letters to his associates.

He avoided accountability while his matriarch, who strangely spoiled him, was still living. The sovereign did at least revoke him of public duties and military positions in the consequence of his disastrous and, as revealed, untruthful public statement six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last two weeks that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of biographical works giving more disturbing information of his actions and that of his associates.

Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's assumption that he could avoid lying about his relationship with a notorious figure.

Society (and the press) were far ahead of the royal family. There was nobody of any significance to support him, a result of all those years of presumption.

Monarchical Concerns

The more intelligent royals understood that. The key objective is to hand down the institution, if not as previously at least whole and unstained.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of earlier rulers, demonstrating they are valuable, accountable and reactive to their people.

His actions endangered all that in jeopardy in an age when respect and discretion is no longer enough.

The Fallout

Eventually, the well-known hesitant monarch was pressured further. There was little choice. The institution had lost control of the account.

Presently the removal of honorifics and the continued and life-long social disgrace that will afflict Andrew most severely.

• Downgrading: Reduced to just a commoner
• Past Example: The initial monarch to forfeit his honorifics in recent history
• Naval Career: Particularly hurtful given his duty in the conflict

He remains a constitutional officer, on paper able to act for the king, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but neither of these will actually come to pass.

Future Prospects

Can persons he meets still acknowledge him? Might they still slip up and call him Prince? Would they say Sir,

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

At that location, he will be provided by the monarch with one of the royal residences and given some sort of financial support.

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

Pending Matters

This is not over. There are still documents in the possession of American legislators to be made public.

• Parliamentary Interest: Might parliament request additional information
• Fiscal Review: Or investigate the improper use of state resources
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior

Perhaps for the moment the reputational impact to the monarchy is limited. The message from the institution was plainly that the revocation of titles was what the monarch, and especially other senior monarchical figures, desired.

Changed Stance

An end to illusion that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, notably, the short announcement showed evidently that the monarchy were supporting the accuser's version of events.

Even more, for the initial instance they ultimately showed concern for the survivors: "The measures are considered essential, notwithstanding the reality that he maintains his innocence of the accusations against him."

Finally it is presumption, self-seeking and indolence that will undermine the institution. In his foolishness, self-gratification and venality, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that reality.