🔗 Share this article Folly and Regal Arrogance Damaged Andrew, and It Might Persist Yet This episode commenced with a solitary photograph, perhaps the most significant ever taken of a royal family member. There stood the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a young woman, while an associate beamed knowingly in the background. Without that image, captured at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the allegations of a adolescent who stated she was trafficked across the Atlantic and obliged to have perfunctory sexual encounters with a individual of the royal family? A strange, indicative gesture by someone who had overtly stated to have no known about her, asserted he could never have had relations with her, and yet handed over a substantial sum of family funds to avert a drawn-out lawsuit. Years of Controversy In this context, talk of the royal family acting swiftly to distance themselves from Andrew are inaccurate. This scandal has continued for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and a further image of Andrew walking pleasantly with a notorious individual came to light. Arrogance: To what extent did his family members, perhaps even his parents, know that Andrew was so self-entitled? Questionable Associations: They must have understood, if his employees and the authorities were fulfilling their roles, that he had some extremely unsavory friends given he publicly hosted them to royal residences. Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources. Travel were documented in public records: chopper travel from the palace to a golf course and back again in time for midday meal, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the convenience of "Airmiles Andy". World of Deference Furthermore the entitlement which expected subservience when he walked into a space or the extreme consciousness about his honorifics used on his correspondence in messages to his friends. He avoided accountability while his mother, who unaccountably pampered him, was still living. The monarch did at least revoke him of official roles and military positions in the wake of his catastrophic and, as revealed, untruthful television interview six years ago. Recent Developments Just in the last 14 days that events accelerated, following the issuance of biographical works giving more disturbing particulars of his behavior and that of his associates. Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could escape being untruthful about his contact with a disgraced individual. Society (and the media) were far in advance of the monarchy. There was nobody of any significance to speak up for him, a result of all those years of presumption. Institutional Fears The more astute monarchical figures understood that. The primary concern is to pass on the crown, if not as before at least intact and untarnished. Over time the last 190 years trying to undo the image of past sovereigns, proving they are beneficial, dutiful and responsive to their subjects. He was placing all that in jeopardy in an age when deference and privacy is no longer enough. The Fallout Ultimately, the notoriously uncertain sovereign was pressured more. There was little choice. The palace had relinquished authority of the story. Now it is the removal of titles and the persistent and life-long personal shame that will pain Andrew the most. Downgrading: Lowered to just a commoner Prior Instance: The primary member to surrender his titles in contemporary era Military Service: Notably stinging given his role in the Falklands war He remains a counsellor of state, theoretically able to act for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the throne, but neither of these will ever occur. What Lies Ahead Do individuals he meets still defer to him? Will they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Will they even say Mr, Certainly, he is not moving to a common area, but to the royal family's extensive estate at Sandringham. In that place, he will be supplied by the monarch with one of the grace and favour houses and given some form of private allowance. This differs from his prior accommodation, where he paid a token payment for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit far, but even so it may not be adequate distance. Outstanding Concerns Matters remain unresolved. There are still documents in the hands of US Congress to be revealed. Political Pressure: Will lawmakers demand more Financial Investigation: Or examine the improper use of state resources Criminal Investigation: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his conduct Perhaps for the time being the reputational impact to the crown is limited. The narrative from the royal household was plainly that the stripping of titles was what the sovereign, and notably other senior royals, desired. A Shift in Position The cessation of pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the short statement showed clearly that the monarchy were siding with the complainant's narrative of incidents. Additionally, for the premiere occasion they finally showed consideration for the affected individuals: "The measures are considered essential, notwithstanding the reality that he continues to deny the allegations against him." Finally it is presumption, selfishness and inactivity that will kill the institution. In his stupidity, self-indulgence and greed, Andrew seems never to have grasped that reality.