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The saga started with a solitary photograph, arguably the most significant ever snapped of a individual from the royal household.

Present was the Duke of York, standing closely beside a teenage girl, while an associate grinned knowingly in the rear.

Lacking that image, captured at a social event in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a adolescent who stated she was transported across the ocean and compelled to have cursory sexual encounters with a member of the monarchy?

A curious, indicative gesture by someone who had overtly claimed to have no been aware of her, asserted he could not have had intimate contact with her, and yet provided a substantial sum of monarchical funds to settle a drawn-out legal case.

Over a Decade of Controversy

Against this backdrop, talk of the royal family acting swiftly to distance themselves from Andrew are misguided. This controversy has persisted for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and another image of Andrew walking pleasantly with a disgraced financier emerged.

• Hubris: How long did his siblings, maybe even his parents, know that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Questionable Associations: They must have understood, if his employees and the authorities were fulfilling their roles, that he had some extremely unsavory associates given he openly hosted them to royal residences.
• Monetary Excess: If the household did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his extravagance with public money.

Travel were listed in official documents: chopper travel from the palace to a golf course and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of regular transport, all for the convenience of "the frequent flyer".

World of Deference

Then there was the presumption which expected respect when he entered a area or the profound obsession about his honorifics used on his official documents in communication to his friends.

He managed to escape consequences while his mother, who strangely pampered him, was still alive. The Queen did at least remove him of public duties and military positions in the aftermath of his catastrophic and, as revealed, mendacious television interview six years ago.

Recent Developments

Just in the last 14 days that events progressed rapidly, following the publication of books giving more disturbing details of his actions and that of his companions.

Additional revelations have again highlighted Andrew's assumption that he could escape lying about his interaction with a convicted criminal.

The public (and the media) were far more perceptive of the royals. There was not a single person of any importance to defend him, a consequence of all those years of arrogance.

Institutional Fears

The more astute family members realized that. The one imperative is to hand down the institution, if not as before at least intact and unblemished.

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

His actions endangered all that in danger in an era when respect and secrecy is no longer enough.

Aftermath

Ultimately, the famously hesitant monarch was pressured further. There was no alternative. The palace had relinquished authority of the story.

Presently the loss of titles and the ongoing and permanent public humiliation that will pain Andrew most severely.

• Reduction: Demoted to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Historical Precedent: The first monarch to surrender his titles in contemporary era
• Military Service: Notably stinging given his service in the conflict

He remains a royal advisor, theoretically able to stand in for the monarch, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but neither of these will truly occur.

Future Prospects

Can persons he encounters still defer to him? Will they still forget themselves and call him Your Highness? Might they say Sir,

Certainly, he is not moving to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's large estate at a monarchical property.

There, he will be supplied by the monarch with one of the estate properties and given some form of private allowance.

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

Outstanding Concerns

This is not over. There are still files in the hands of US Congress to be revealed.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Will lawmakers request additional information
• Fiscal Review: Or examine the improper use of state resources
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a criminal probe into his actions

Possibly for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the crown is contained. The message from the palace was plainly that the revocation of titles was what the monarch, and especially other senior monarchical figures, wanted.

Changed Stance

An end to deception that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, notably, the short communication showed plainly that the monarchy were supporting the victim's version of incidents.

Additionally, for the premiere occasion they ultimately showed concern for the affected individuals: "The measures are judged required, regardless of the truth that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

Finally it is entitlement, self-seeking and inactivity that will undermine the institution. In his stupidity, personal excess and greed, Andrew appears never to have grasped that truth.