🔗 Share this article Foolishness and Monarchical Hubris Ruined Andrew, and It Might Persist Yet It all began with a isolated photograph, perhaps the most impactful ever snapped of a individual from the royal household. In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a teenage girl, while a companion beamed knowingly in the rear. Absent that image, shot at a party in 2001, who would have believed the claims of a young woman who said she was transported across the ocean and forced to have brief sexual encounters with a individual of the royal family? A strange, revealing gesture by someone who had publicly claimed to have not known about her, asserted he could not have had sex with her, and yet handed over millions of family resources to settle a long-delayed court action. A Long Period of Controversy In this context, discussions of the royal family acting decisively to distance themselves from Andrew are wide of the mark. This scandal has continued for the largest portion of 15 years since that picture, and another snapshot of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a convicted sex offender came to light. Hubris: How long did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his parents, know that Andrew was so presumptuous? Questionable Associations: They must have realized, if his aides and the police were doing their jobs, that he had some extremely unsavory companions given he openly welcomed them to estates. Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the household did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds. Travel were listed in official documents: helicopter flights from the palace to a country club and back again in time for midday meal, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer". A Life of Privilege Additionally the arrogance which demanded respect when he walked into a space or the supreme awareness about his royal titles used on his official documents in letters to his personal acquaintances. He could get away with it while his mother, who unaccountably indulged him, was still alive. The Queen did at least revoke him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the wake of his ill-fated and, it is now clear, mendacious television interview six years ago. Recent Developments It was only in the last two weeks that events accelerated, following the issuance of biographical works giving more disturbing information of his actions and that of his connections. Additional revelations have again highlighted Andrew's thinking that he could escape lying about his contact with a convicted criminal. The public (and the press) were far ahead of the royal family. There was no one of any importance to defend him, a outcome of all those years of hubris. Institutional Fears The more intelligent family members realized that. The one imperative is to transfer the crown, if not as before at least whole and untarnished. They have spent the last 190 years trying to overcome the image of past sovereigns, showing they are valuable, accountable and responsive to their subjects. His actions endangered all that in peril in an era when deference and secrecy is no longer adequate. The Fallout Eventually, the well-known indecisive monarch was pressured more. There was no alternative. The institution had lost control of the narrative. Now it is the stripping of designations and the continued and permanent personal shame that will pain Andrew most deeply. Reduction: Demoted to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor Historical Precedent: The primary monarch to lose his honorifics in modern times Naval Career: Especially stinging 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 neither of these will truly happen. Coming Developments Will people he meets still acknowledge him? Will they still slip up and call him Prince? Will they even say Sir, Of course, he is not retiring to a common area, but to the royal family's vast estate at a monarchical property. At that location, he will be furnished by the monarch with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of private allowance. This is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a token payment for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit remote, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed. Outstanding Concerns This is not over. There are still records in the hands of US Congress to be revealed. Governmental Scrutiny: Could legislators seek further action Fiscal Review: Or scrutinize the misuse of state resources Judicial Potential: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior Maybe for the present the institutional damage to the monarchy is limited. The narrative from the royal household was clearly that the removal of honorifics was what the king, and particularly other senior royals, desired. A Shift in Position The cessation of pretence that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, remarkably, the concise announcement showed evidently that the institution were siding with the victim's version of events. Furthermore, for the premiere occasion they finally showed regard for the affected individuals: "The measures are judged required, notwithstanding the fact that he persists in refuting the accusations against him." In the end it is entitlement, selfishness and inactivity that will destroy the monarchy. In his folly, self-indulgence and venality, Andrew gives the impression never to have grasped that reality.