🔗 Share this article Folly and Regal Arrogance Sunk Andrew, and It May Not Be Over Yet The saga started with a isolated photograph, arguably the most significant ever captured of a member of the monarchy. Present was the Duke of York, arm-in-arm a female youth, while an associate smiled knowingly in the rear. Absent that photograph, shot at a party in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a teenager who stated she was moved across the Atlantic and compelled to have perfunctory relations with a individual of the royal bloodline? A strange, telling move by someone who had openly claimed to have not heard of her, asserted he could never have had intimate contact with her, and yet provided millions of his mother's funds to settle a drawn-out legal case. Over a Decade of Scandal In this context, discussions of the monarchy acting decisively to distance themselves from Andrew are misguided. This affair has continued for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and an additional photo of Andrew walking congenially with a notorious individual came to light. Self-importance: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his relatives, realize that Andrew was so presumptuous? Problematic Connections: They must have realized, if his employees and the authorities were doing their jobs, that he had some highly questionable companions given he unabashedly welcomed them to royal residences. Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his overspending with taxpayer funds. Trips were printed in royal annual reports: helicopter flights from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of scheduled services, all for the comfort of "the travel enthusiast". Existence of Entitlement Additionally the entitlement which expected subservience when he walked into a room or the profound consciousness about his royal titles used on his official documents in letters to his personal acquaintances. He avoided accountability while his matriarch, who unaccountably indulged him, was still living. The Queen did at least revoke him of public duties and military positions in the wake of his disastrous and, it is now clear, untruthful television interview six years ago. Latest Events Merely in the last 14 days that events accelerated, following the release of accounts giving more disturbing details of his behavior and that of his companions. Further disclosures have again highlighted Andrew's thinking that he could get away with deceiving about his interaction with a notorious figure. The public (and the press) were far in advance of the monarchy. There was not a single person of any significance to support him, a result of all those years of arrogance. Institutional Fears The wiser family members realized that. The one imperative is to transfer the monarchy, if not as previously at least complete and unblemished. Over time the last 190 years trying to overcome the image of earlier rulers, showing they are useful, accountable and reactive to their subjects. Andrew was putting all that in jeopardy in an era when respect and discretion is no longer adequate. The Fallout Ultimately, the well-known hesitant monarch was prodded more. There was no other option. The royal household had relinquished authority of the narrative. Presently the removal of titles and the ongoing and life-long social disgrace that will pain Andrew the most. Downgrading: Reduced to just a private citizen Historical Precedent: The primary royal to forfeit his honorifics in recent history Armed Forces: Notably stinging given his role in the conflict He continues to be a constitutional officer, on paper able to substitute for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the throne, but not any of these will actually occur. What Lies Ahead Do individuals he comes across still show respect to him? Will they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Would they say Andrew, Of course, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the royal family's large property at Sandringham. At that location, he will be provided by the king with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of financial support. It is not his previous residence, where he paid a token lease for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit remote, but even so it may not be far enough. Unresolved Issues Matters remain unresolved. There are still files in the custody of overseas authorities to be made public. Parliamentary Interest: Could legislators seek further action Fiscal Review: Or examine the waste of taxpayer funds Legal Possibility: There may even be a criminal probe into his actions Maybe for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the institution is restricted. The narrative from the palace was evidently that the stripping of designations was what the sovereign, and particularly other senior monarchical figures, wanted. Changed Stance An end to deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, remarkably, the short communication showed evidently that the institution were siding with the victim's account of events. Furthermore, for the initial instance they eventually showed concern for the survivors: "These actions are judged required, despite the reality that he persists in refuting the accusations against him." Ultimately it is presumption, selfishness and laziness that will destroy the institution. In his stupidity, self-gratification and corruption, Andrew appears never to have learned that reality.