🔗 Share this article Folly and Monarchical Hubris Ruined Andrew, and It Might Persist Yet The saga started with a single photograph, arguably the most significant ever taken of a royal family member. Present was the Duke of York, standing closely beside a female youth, while another individual smiled knowingly in the background. Without that snapshot, shot at a social event in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a teenager who declared she was transported across the sea and forced to have perfunctory sexual encounters with a member of the monarchy? A strange, revealing action by someone who had publicly claimed to have not been aware of her, asserted he could no have had intimate contact with her, and yet provided millions of family funds to resolve a protracted court action. Years of Controversy Against this backdrop, discussions of the monarchy acting firmly to cut Andrew off are misguided. This affair has continued for the largest portion of 15 years since that photograph, and an additional image of Andrew strolling congenially with a notorious individual came to light. Arrogance: How long did his siblings, possibly even his parents, understand that Andrew was so self-entitled? Questionable Associations: They must have known, if his aides and the police were performing their duties, that he had some highly questionable friends given he publicly hosted them to palaces. Monetary Excess: If the household did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds. Trips were documented in public records: helicopter travel from the royal residence to a golf course and back again in time for midday meal, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "Airmiles Andy". Existence of Entitlement Then there was the entitlement which expected respect when he walked into a room or the extreme obsession about his designations used on his official documents in letters to his friends. He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who strangely indulged him, was still alive. The sovereign did at least revoke him of public duties and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his catastrophic and, as revealed, untruthful television interview six years ago. Recent Developments It was only in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the issuance of accounts giving more disturbing information of his conduct and that of his associates. Further disclosures have again exposed Andrew's assumption that he could avoid lying about his relationship with a notorious figure. People (and the press) were far in advance of the royal family. There was no one of any importance to defend him, a consequence of all those years of presumption. Royal Worries The more astute family members understood that. The one imperative is to pass on the institution, if not as before at least intact and unstained. They have spent the last 190 years trying to overcome the image of earlier rulers, demonstrating they are beneficial, accountable and attentive to their subjects. He was placing all that in danger in an time when respect and secrecy is no longer enough. Aftermath Finally, the well-known indecisive sovereign was pushed additional. There was no other option. The royal household had relinquished authority of the account. Presently the loss of titles and the continued and permanent personal shame that will hurt Andrew the most. Downgrading: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor Prior Instance: The primary monarch to lose his titles in modern times Naval Career: Especially stinging given his role in the engagement He remains a constitutional officer, theoretically able to stand in for the sovereign, and he is still in the lineage to the monarchy, but none of these will actually happen. Coming Developments Will people he meets still acknowledge him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Might they say Andrew, Certainly, he is not moving to a common area, but to the royal family's large property at a royal residence. At that location, he will be supplied by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some sort of personal stipend. This differs from his former home, where he paid a minimal payment for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit distant, but even so it may not be far enough. Unresolved Issues Matters remain unresolved. There are still records in the possession of overseas authorities to be disclosed. Political Pressure: Might lawmakers seek further action Financial Investigation: Or examine the misuse of public money Judicial Potential: There may even be a criminal probe into his actions Possibly for the present the institutional damage to the monarchy is limited. The narrative from the institution was clearly that the stripping of designations was what the sovereign, and especially other senior royals, desired. A Shift in Position No more illusion that Andrew was acting willingly. And, remarkably, the brief announcement showed evidently that the institution were supporting the complainant's account of occurrences. Additionally, for the premiere occasion they ultimately showed regard for the survivors: "The censures are deemed necessary, regardless of the reality that he persists in refuting the accusations against him." Finally it is arrogance, self-seeking and indolence that will kill the crown. In his folly, self-gratification and corruption, Andrew seems never to have learned that truth.