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

Present was the Duke of York, arm-in-arm a female youth, while another individual beamed knowingly in the rear.

Without that photograph, shot at a gathering in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a adolescent who declared she was trafficked across the Atlantic and obliged to have perfunctory intimate contact with a prince of the royal bloodline?

An odd, revealing action by someone who had openly stated to have no been aware of her, said he could no have had sex with her, and yet provided millions of monarchical money to settle a protracted lawsuit.

Years of Controversy

Considering this, talk of the royals acting decisively to sever ties with Andrew are wide of the mark. This scandal has continued for the largest portion of 15 years since that photograph, and an additional image of Andrew strolling pleasantly with a notorious individual came to light.

• Hubris: For what duration did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his relatives, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his employees and the authorities were performing their duties, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he openly invited them to palaces.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources.

Trips were printed in official documents: private aircraft travel from the royal residence to a country club and back again in time for dining, chartered planes instead of commercial flights, all for the comfort of "Airmiles Andy".

World of Deference

Additionally the arrogance which demanded subservience when he entered a room or the supreme consciousness about his royal titles used on his correspondence in letters to his associates.

He could get away with it while his parent, who unaccountably indulged him, was still alive. The monarch did at least remove him of public duties and ceremonial ranks in the wake of his catastrophic and, as revealed, untruthful public statement six years ago.

Latest Events

Just in the last two weeks that events accelerated, following the issuance of biographical works giving more disturbing information of his behavior and that of his connections.

Additional revelations have again revealed Andrew's thinking that he could get away with lying about his contact with a disgraced individual.

Society (and the press) were far ahead of the royal family. There was no one of any importance to defend him, a outcome of all those years of presumption.

Royal Worries

The more astute royals realized that. The primary concern is to pass on the crown, if not as heretofore at least whole and unblemished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the legacy of earlier rulers, proving they are beneficial, responsible and reactive to their citizens.

Andrew was putting all that in danger in an era when respect and secrecy is no longer enough.

The Fallout

Ultimately, the famously indecisive king was pressured additional. There was no other option. The palace had lost control of the story.

Presently the removal of honorifics and the persistent and lifetime public humiliation that will afflict Andrew most severely.

• Downgrading: Reduced to just a commoner
• Past Example: The primary monarch to surrender his titles in modern times
• Armed Forces: Especially painful given his duty in the conflict

He is still a royal advisor, on paper able to act for the king, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but not any of these will ever come to pass.

What Lies Ahead

Will people he comes across still acknowledge him? Will they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Will they even say Mr,

Naturally, he is not retiring to a common area, but to the monarchy's large property at a royal residence.

There, he will be supplied by the monarch with one of the estate properties and given some type of personal stipend.

This differs from his former home, where he paid a minimal rent for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit distant, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Pending Matters

This is not over. There are still documents in the possession of American legislators to be disclosed.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Will legislators seek further action
• Financial Investigation: Or investigate the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a criminal probe into his behavior

Perhaps for the present the institutional damage to the institution is contained. The message from the royal household was clearly that the stripping of titles was what the sovereign, and particularly other senior royals, sought.

Altered Approach

An end to pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the concise statement showed plainly that the institution were supporting the victim's account of occurrences.

Furthermore, for the first time they finally showed consideration for the survivors: "These actions are considered essential, despite the fact that he maintains his innocence of the allegations against him."

In the end it is arrogance, selfishness and laziness that will destroy the crown. In his stupidity, self-indulgence and corruption, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that lesson.