🔗 Share this article Foolishness and Royal Self-Entitlement Ruined Andrew, and It Might Persist Yet It all began with a single photograph, arguably the most impactful ever captured of a member of the monarchy. In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a female youth, while a companion smiled knowingly in the backdrop. Absent that image, captured at a gathering in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a teenager who stated she was moved across the Atlantic and obliged to have brief intimate contact with a individual of the monarchy? An odd, revealing gesture by someone who had openly asserted to have never been aware of her, asserted he could never have had relations with her, and yet handed over a large amount of his mother's resources to avert a long-delayed court action. Over a Decade of Scandal Considering this, conversations of the monarchy acting firmly to cut Andrew off are wide of the mark. This scandal has continued for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and an additional snapshot of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a notorious individual emerged. Arrogance: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, possibly even his relatives, realize that Andrew was so presumptuous? Questionable Associations: They must have realized, if his employees and the law enforcement were doing their jobs, that he had some highly questionable friends given he publicly hosted them to royal residences. Monetary Excess: If the monarchy did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his overspending with taxpayer funds. Journeys were listed in public records: chopper travel from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, private flights instead of regular transport, all for the convenience of "the frequent flyer". A Life of Privilege Then there was the entitlement which required deference when he entered a area or the extreme awareness about his honorifics used on his letterheads in messages to his personal acquaintances. He managed to escape consequences while his matriarch, who inexplicably spoiled him, was still surviving. The Queen did at least revoke him of public duties and honorary colonelcies in the wake of his catastrophic and, we now know, deceptive public statement six years ago. Latest Events It was only in the last fortnight that events sped up, following the release of books giving more disturbing particulars of his behavior and that of his connections. Further disclosures have again highlighted Andrew's thinking that he could get away with being untruthful about his relationship with a disgraced individual. The public (and the media) were far in advance of the royal family. There was no one of any consequence to defend him, a outcome of all those years of hubris. Monarchical Concerns The more astute royals recognized that. The key objective is to pass on the crown, if not as before at least complete and unstained. Over time the last 190 years trying to overcome the legacy of past sovereigns, showing they are useful, dutiful and responsive to their people. Andrew was putting all that in jeopardy in an era when respect and secrecy is no longer sufficient. Aftermath Ultimately, the famously uncertain sovereign was pressured more. There was no other option. The palace had surrendered command of the story. Presently the stripping of designations and the ongoing and lifetime personal shame that will afflict Andrew the most. Downgrading: Reduced to just a private citizen Historical Precedent: The initial royal to lose his designations in modern times Military Service: Particularly hurtful given his service in the conflict He remains a counsellor of state, in principle able to stand in for the monarch, and he is still in the lineage to the monarchy, but not any of these will ever happen. Future Prospects Do individuals he encounters still defer to him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Might they say Mr, Certainly, he is not moving to an ordinary town, but to the royal family's large grounds at a monarchical property. In that place, he will be provided by the monarch with one of the estate properties and given some sort of private allowance. This differs from his former home, where he paid a minimal payment for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit far, but even so it may not be adequate distance. Unresolved Issues This is not over. There are still records in the possession of American legislators to be disclosed. Parliamentary Interest: Will parliament seek further action Financial Investigation: Or investigate the waste of public money Judicial Potential: There may even be a police investigation into his behavior Maybe for the moment the reputational impact to the institution is contained. The statement from the institution was plainly that the revocation of designations was what the king, and particularly other senior monarchical figures, desired. Altered Approach The cessation of deception that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, significantly, the short communication showed clearly that the royals were supporting the victim's narrative of occurrences. Even more, for the initial instance they ultimately showed consideration for the affected individuals: "The measures are considered essential, despite the fact that he maintains his innocence of the accusations against him." In the end it is presumption, selfishness and inactivity that will destroy the institution. In his foolishness, self-gratification and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that truth.