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

There stood the Duke of York, with his arm around a young woman, while another individual smiled suggestively in the rear.

Without that snapshot, taken at a social event in 2001, few would have credited the allegations of a teenager who declared she was transported across the sea and forced to have brief sexual encounters with a member of the royal bloodline?

A strange, telling move by someone who had overtly stated to have no known about her, claimed he could no have had sex with her, and yet paid a substantial sum of monarchical money to avert a protracted court action.

Years of Scandal

In this context, talk of the royals acting swiftly to distance themselves from Andrew are misguided. This scandal has persisted for the majority of 15 years since that photograph, and another photo of Andrew walking amiably with a disgraced financier surfaced.

• Arrogance: How long did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his mother and father, know that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his employees and the police were doing their jobs, that he had some extremely unsavory friends given he publicly welcomed them to royal residences.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Trips were printed in public records: helicopter travel from the royal residence to a country club and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of scheduled services, all for the convenience of "the frequent flyer".

A Life of Privilege

Additionally the presumption which expected deference when he walked into a area or the profound consciousness about his royal titles used on his letterheads in messages to his associates.

He avoided accountability while his matriarch, who unaccountably pampered him, was still alive. The monarch did at least revoke him of public duties and military positions in the consequence of his disastrous and, it is now clear, untruthful television interview six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last 14 days that events progressed rapidly, following the release of accounts giving more troubling details of his actions and that of his associates.

Further disclosures have again exposed Andrew's belief that he could avoid deceiving about his relationship with a notorious figure.

People (and the press) were far in advance of the royal family. There was no one of any consequence to support him, a outcome of all those years of presumption.

Monarchical Concerns

The more astute family members realized that. The primary concern is to pass on the monarchy, if not as heretofore at least whole and untarnished.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to reverse the reputation of previous monarchs, showing they are useful, responsible and reactive to their people.

His actions endangered all that in danger in an time when submission and discretion is no longer sufficient.

The Fallout

Finally, the well-known indecisive sovereign was prodded further. There was no other option. The institution had lost control of the account.

Presently the removal of honorifics and the ongoing and life-long public humiliation that will hurt Andrew the most.

• Demotion: Lowered to just a commoner
• Past Example: The initial monarch to surrender his titles in modern times
• Armed Forces: Especially hurtful given his service in the conflict

He continues to be a counsellor of state, on paper able to stand in for the king, and he is still eighth in line to the crown, but not any of these will ever happen.

What Lies Ahead

Will people he meets still acknowledge him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Will they even say Sir,

Naturally, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the royal family's extensive grounds at a royal residence.

At that location, he will be provided by the monarch with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of financial support.

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

Unresolved Issues

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

• Political Pressure: Could legislators demand more
• Monetary Probe: Or investigate the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a criminal probe into his actions

Perhaps for the time being the institutional damage to the crown is limited. The message from the institution was plainly that the revocation of honorifics was what the monarch, and especially other senior family members, desired.

Changed Stance

The cessation of illusion that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, remarkably, the brief communication showed clearly that the royals were supporting the complainant's account of occurrences.

Additionally, for the initial instance they finally showed concern for the survivors: "The measures are considered essential, despite the fact that he maintains his innocence of the allegations against him."

Finally it is entitlement, self-interest and indolence that will kill the crown. In his stupidity, self-indulgence and corruption, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that truth.