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It all began with a single photograph, arguably the most impactful ever captured of a member of the monarchy.

In the frame appeared the Duke of York, arm-in-arm a female youth, while another individual beamed conspiratorially in the background.

Lacking that photograph, captured at a gathering in 2001, who would have believed the allegations of a adolescent who stated she was trafficked across the ocean and compelled to have brief sexual encounters with a prince of the monarchy?

An odd, telling action by someone who had publicly stated to have never known about her, claimed he could not have had relations with her, and yet handed over a substantial sum of monarchical resources to settle a long-delayed court action.

A Long Period of Scandal

Against this backdrop, conversations of the monarchy acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This controversy has persisted for the better part of 15 years since that picture, and a further photo of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a convicted sex offender surfaced.

• Self-importance: To what extent did his family members, maybe even his parents, realize that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have realized, if his aides and the law enforcement were doing their jobs, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he unabashedly welcomed them to estates.
• Financial Extravagance: If the monarchy did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds.

Travel were documented in official documents: chopper travel from the royal residence to a golf course and back again in time for dining, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the comfort of "the frequent flyer".

World of Deference

Additionally the presumption which demanded respect when he appeared in a area or the profound awareness about his royal titles used on his correspondence in communication to his personal acquaintances.

He could get away with it while his mother, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still living. The monarch did at least revoke him of royal responsibilities and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his disastrous and, it is now clear, deceptive public statement six years ago.

Current Situation

Just in the last two weeks that events progressed rapidly, following the release of accounts giving more grim particulars of his conduct and that of his companions.

More information have again revealed Andrew's thinking that he could avoid deceiving about his contact with a disgraced individual.

The public (and the media) were far ahead of the monarchy. There was no one of any consequence to defend him, a consequence of all those years of presumption.

Royal Worries

The more intelligent family members understood that. The one imperative is to hand down the monarchy, if not as before at least intact and untarnished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to overcome the reputation of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are valuable, accountable and reactive to their people.

He was placing all that in danger in an time when deference and privacy is no longer enough.

The Fallout

Ultimately, the notoriously indecisive king was prodded additional. There was no alternative. The royal household had lost control of the story.

Presently the stripping of designations and the continued and life-long public humiliation that will afflict Andrew the most.

• Downgrading: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Past Example: The initial member to lose his designations in contemporary era
• Naval Career: Notably painful given his role in the engagement

He is still a royal advisor, in principle able to act for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the crown, but none of these will ever happen.

Coming Developments

Will people he comes across still show respect to him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Will they even say Andrew,

Certainly, he is not moving to an ordinary town, but to the royal family's extensive estate at Sandringham.

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

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

Unresolved Issues

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

• Parliamentary Interest: Could parliament request additional information
• Monetary Probe: Or investigate the misuse of state resources
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a criminal probe into his behavior

Possibly for the moment the harm to the monarchy to the crown is contained. The statement from the royal household was evidently that the revocation of titles was what the king, and particularly other senior monarchical figures, desired.

Altered Approach

The cessation of deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, notably, the concise statement showed clearly that the institution were siding with the victim's account of incidents.

Furthermore, for the premiere occasion they ultimately showed regard for the victims: "The measures are considered essential, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the claims against him."

Finally it is presumption, selfishness and laziness that will destroy the monarchy. In his stupidity, self-gratification and venality, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that lesson.