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

There stood the Duke of York, with his arm around a female youth, while a companion smiled conspiratorially in the rear.

Absent that photograph, taken at a social event in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a adolescent who declared she was transported across the ocean and obliged to have brief relations with a prince of the royal bloodline?

A strange, revealing move by someone who had overtly claimed to have no known about her, said he could never have had sex with her, and yet handed over millions of monarchical resources to avert a long-delayed lawsuit.

A Long Period of Disgrace

In this context, talk of the monarchy acting decisively to distance themselves from Andrew are misguided. This affair has continued for the majority of 15 years since that photograph, and an additional snapshot of Andrew strolling amiably with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Hubris: To what extent did his siblings, perhaps even his relatives, understand that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his staff and the police were performing their duties, that he had some extremely unsavory companions given he unabashedly welcomed them to palaces.
• Monetary Excess: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his overspending with state resources.

Trips were listed in royal annual reports: helicopter travel from the estate to a country club and back again in time for dining, exclusive air travel instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

A Life of Privilege

Additionally the presumption which expected subservience when he walked into a area or the extreme awareness about his honorifics used on his official documents in communication to his associates.

He avoided accountability while his matriarch, who inexplicably indulged him, was still surviving. The monarch did at least revoke him of royal responsibilities and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his disastrous and, it is now clear, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last fortnight that events sped up, following the publication of accounts giving more troubling particulars of his conduct and that of his companions.

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

The public (and the media) were far ahead of the monarchy. There was nobody of any importance to support him, a outcome of all those years of hubris.

Monarchical Concerns

The more intelligent royals realized that. The one imperative is to pass on the crown, if not as heretofore at least complete and untarnished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to overcome the reputation of previous monarchs, proving they are valuable, accountable and attentive to their subjects.

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

Consequences

Eventually, the well-known uncertain king was prodded more. There was little choice. The palace had surrendered command of the story.

Presently the removal of titles and the ongoing and permanent public humiliation that will hurt Andrew most deeply.

• Demotion: Lowered to just a private citizen
• Historical Precedent: The primary member to surrender his honorifics in modern times
• Armed Forces: Particularly painful given his service in the conflict

He is still a royal advisor, in principle able to act for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but none of these will actually happen.

What Lies Ahead

Do individuals he encounters still show respect to him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Will they even say Mr,

Certainly, he is not withdrawing to suburbia, but to the sovereign's extensive estate at a monarchical property.

At that location, he will be furnished by the monarch with one of the royal residences and given some form of financial support.

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

Unresolved Issues

This is not over. There are still documents in the hands of overseas authorities to be made public.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Could parliament demand more
• Monetary Probe: Or investigate the improper use of public money
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior

Maybe for the moment the reputational impact to the institution is contained. The message from the institution was evidently that the revocation of designations was what the monarch, and notably other senior monarchical figures, sought.

Altered Approach

An end to illusion that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, notably, the short statement showed plainly that the monarchy were siding with the complainant's version of incidents.

Even more, for the initial instance they ultimately showed regard for the victims: "These actions are deemed necessary, regardless of the truth that he persists in refuting the claims against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, selfishness and inactivity that will destroy the institution. In his foolishness, personal excess and corruption, Andrew appears never to have learned that lesson.