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It all began with a single photograph, possibly the most consequential ever snapped of a royal family member.

Present was the Duke of York, standing closely beside a female youth, while another individual beamed conspiratorially in the rear.

Absent that image, shot at a party in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a young woman who stated she was trafficked across the ocean and forced to have brief intimate contact with a member of the royal bloodline?

A curious, indicative action by someone who had overtly asserted to have never known about her, said he could never have had relations with her, and yet paid millions of monarchical funds to resolve a long-delayed court action.

Years of Controversy

In this context, conversations of the royal family acting firmly to distance themselves from Andrew are misguided. This affair has continued for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and another snapshot of Andrew strolling congenially with a notorious individual emerged.

• Self-importance: How long did his family members, possibly even his mother and father, understand that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have understood, if his aides and the police were performing their duties, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he openly hosted them to palaces.
• Financial Extravagance: If the household did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his overspending with public money.

Trips were printed in public records: helicopter travel from the royal residence to a country club and back again in time for dining, chartered planes instead of scheduled services, all for the comfort of "Airmiles Andy".

A Life of Privilege

Then there was the arrogance which expected deference when he appeared in a room or the profound obsession about his honorifics used on his correspondence in communication to his friends.

He managed to escape consequences while his mother, who unaccountably indulged him, was still surviving. The monarch did at least strip him of official roles and honorary colonelcies in the wake of his catastrophic and, as revealed, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Latest Events

Merely in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the issuance of books giving more disturbing information of his actions and that of his connections.

Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's assumption that he could avoid deceiving about his interaction with a convicted criminal.

The public (and the press) were far ahead of the royal family. There was not a single person of any consequence to speak up for him, a outcome of all those years of arrogance.

Institutional Fears

The more astute royals realized that. The key objective is to transfer the crown, if not as heretofore at least whole and unblemished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to reverse the reputation of earlier rulers, proving they are beneficial, responsible and reactive to their subjects.

He was placing all that in jeopardy in an time when deference and discretion is no longer adequate.

Aftermath

Eventually, the well-known uncertain monarch was pressured further. There was no other option. The royal household had relinquished authority of the account.

Currently the removal of titles and the continued and permanent social disgrace that will hurt Andrew the most.

• Reduction: Lowered to just a commoner
• Prior Instance: The primary royal to lose his designations in modern times
• Military Service: Particularly painful given his role in the Falklands war

He is still a counsellor of state, on paper able to substitute for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the monarchy, but neither of these will actually occur.

Coming Developments

Can persons he meets still defer to him? Might they still slip up and call him Prince? Will they even say Andrew,

Naturally, he is not withdrawing to a common area, but to the royal family's large grounds at a royal residence.

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

This differs from his previous residence, where he paid a minimal payment for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit far, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Outstanding Concerns

This is not over. There are still records in the hands of overseas authorities to be made public.

• Parliamentary Interest: Could lawmakers demand more
• Monetary Probe: Or scrutinize the improper use of public money
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a criminal probe into his conduct

Maybe for the time being the reputational impact to the crown is contained. The message from the royal household was clearly that the removal of honorifics was what the monarch, and particularly other senior family members, wanted.

Altered Approach

The cessation of illusion that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, remarkably, the concise announcement showed clearly that the institution were supporting the complainant's narrative of incidents.

Even more, for the premiere occasion they finally showed consideration for the affected individuals: "The measures are considered essential, regardless of the reality that he persists in refuting the allegations against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, self-seeking and laziness that will undermine the monarchy. In his folly, self-indulgence and corruption, Andrew appears never to have learned that truth.