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It all began with a solitary photograph, possibly the most consequential ever captured of a member of the monarchy.

There stood the Duke of York, standing closely beside a young woman, while a companion beamed suggestively in the background.

Absent that image, shot at a social event in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a young woman who declared she was moved across the sea and obliged to have brief relations with a prince of the monarchy?

A curious, indicative action by someone who had overtly asserted to have never been aware of her, said he could no have had relations with her, and yet paid a large amount of monarchical money to avert a protracted lawsuit.

Over a Decade of Disgrace

In this context, discussions of the royals acting swiftly to distance themselves from Andrew are misguided. This affair has persisted for the better part of 15 years since that image, and an additional image of Andrew walking amiably with a disgraced financier came to light.

• Hubris: How long did his brothers and sisters, maybe even his parents, understand that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have realized, if his aides and the authorities were performing their duties, that he had some deeply disreputable friends given he unabashedly welcomed them to royal residences.
• Financial Extravagance: If the monarchy did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his overspending with state resources.

Travel were documented in official documents: chopper travel from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, exclusive air travel instead of scheduled services, all for the comfort of "Airmiles Andy".

World of Deference

Then there was the presumption which demanded subservience when he appeared in a area or the supreme consciousness about his royal titles used on his official documents in messages to his personal acquaintances.

He could get away with it while his matriarch, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still alive. The monarch did at least revoke him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the aftermath of his catastrophic and, it is now clear, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last 14 days that events progressed rapidly, following the publication of books giving more disturbing particulars of his actions and that of his companions.

Additional revelations have again exposed Andrew's thinking that he could escape lying about his relationship with a notorious figure.

Society (and the journalists) were far in advance of the royals. There was nobody of any consequence to support him, a outcome of all those years of presumption.

Institutional Fears

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

For generations the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of earlier rulers, showing they are valuable, accountable and reactive to their subjects.

He was placing all that in peril in an age when submission and discretion is no longer enough.

The Fallout

Finally, the famously indecisive sovereign was prodded additional. There was little choice. The royal household had lost control of the narrative.

Currently the loss of titles and the ongoing and life-long public humiliation that will pain Andrew most severely.

• Reduction: Lowered to just a commoner
• Historical Precedent: The initial member to forfeit his designations in recent history
• Military Service: Particularly painful given his service in the conflict

He is still a constitutional officer, theoretically able to substitute for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the throne, but neither of these will ever happen.

Coming Developments

Will people he meets still defer to him? Might they still slip up and call him Sir? Will they even say Andrew,

Of course, he is not withdrawing to suburbia, but to the monarchy's extensive property at Sandringham.

There, he will be supplied by the king with one of the grace and favour houses and given some sort of financial support.

This differs from his prior accommodation, where he paid a nominal payment for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit far, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed.

Outstanding Concerns

The situation continues. There are still records in the custody of overseas authorities to be disclosed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Will parliament request additional information
• Fiscal Review: Or investigate the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a criminal probe into his conduct

Perhaps for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the crown is limited. The statement from the institution was clearly that the stripping of designations was what the sovereign, and especially other senior monarchical figures, desired.

A Shift in Position

The cessation of pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, remarkably, the concise announcement showed plainly that the royals were aligning with the victim's version of incidents.

Furthermore, for the first time they finally showed concern for the affected individuals: "These actions are considered essential, regardless of the reality that he persists in refuting the allegations against him."

Finally it is presumption, selfishness and inactivity that will undermine the crown. In his stupidity, self-gratification and greed, Andrew seems never to have grasped that reality.