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This episode commenced with a isolated photograph, arguably the most impactful ever captured of a member of the monarchy.

Present was the Duke of York, with his arm around a female youth, while another individual grinned knowingly in the rear.

Lacking that photograph, captured at a social event in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the assertions of a young woman who stated she was trafficked across the Atlantic and compelled to have cursory intimate contact with a prince of the monarchy?

A curious, revealing move by someone who had publicly stated to have not heard of her, asserted he could never have had intimate contact with her, and yet paid a substantial sum of his mother's funds to settle a long-delayed lawsuit.

Over a Decade of Controversy

In this context, discussions of the monarchy acting decisively to cut Andrew off are wide of the mark. This controversy has continued for the majority of 15 years since that image, and another photo of Andrew ambling amiably with a convicted sex offender surfaced.

• Self-importance: How long did his siblings, perhaps even his relatives, realize that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have understood, if his aides and the law enforcement were fulfilling their roles, that he had some deeply disreputable associates given he unabashedly welcomed them to estates.
• Monetary Excess: If the monarchy did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources.

Travel were listed in official documents: chopper travel from the palace to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, chartered planes instead of scheduled services, all for the comfort of "the travel enthusiast".

Existence of Entitlement

Additionally the entitlement which demanded deference when he walked into a area or the profound awareness about his royal titles used on his correspondence in communication to his friends.

He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who strangely spoiled him, was still surviving. The sovereign did at least revoke him of public duties and military positions in the consequence of his catastrophic and, it is now clear, untruthful television interview six years ago.

Latest Events

Merely in the last fortnight that events sped up, following the release of books giving more troubling information of his actions and that of his companions.

More information have again revealed Andrew's thinking that he could get away with being untruthful about his contact with a notorious figure.

Society (and the media) were far in advance of the royals. There was not a single person of any consequence to speak up for him, a result of all those years of arrogance.

Monarchical Concerns

The more intelligent family members realized that. The one imperative is to transfer the institution, if not as previously at least intact and unstained.

Over time the last 190 years trying to undo the legacy of earlier rulers, demonstrating they are useful, responsible and reactive to their subjects.

Andrew was putting all that in danger in an time when deference and secrecy is no longer sufficient.

Aftermath

Finally, the famously uncertain monarch was prodded additional. There was no alternative. The royal household had lost control of the account.

Now it is the stripping of titles and the ongoing and permanent social disgrace that will pain Andrew most severely.

• Downgrading: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Prior Instance: The primary monarch to surrender his titles in modern times
• Military Service: Especially hurtful given his duty in the conflict

He is still a royal advisor, theoretically able to act for the king, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but neither of these will actually occur.

Coming Developments

Will people he comes across still acknowledge him? Might they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Will they even say Andrew,

Of course, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's large estate at a royal residence.

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

This is not his previous residence, where he paid a nominal rent for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit distant, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed.

Pending Matters

The situation continues. There are still documents in the possession of American legislators to be disclosed.

• Political Pressure: Will legislators demand more
• Fiscal Review: Or investigate the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a police investigation into his behavior

Maybe for the moment the reputational impact to the crown is limited. The statement from the palace was clearly that the stripping of titles was what the monarch, and notably other senior monarchical figures, desired.

Altered Approach

The cessation of pretence that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, significantly, the concise announcement showed plainly that the institution were supporting the victim's narrative of events.

Furthermore, for the first time they eventually showed regard for the victims: "The measures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he persists in refuting the claims against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, self-interest and inactivity that will undermine the institution. In his folly, self-gratification and corruption, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that truth.