Stupidity and Royal Self-Entitlement Damaged Andrew, and It May Not Be Over Yet

The saga started with a single photograph, perhaps the most consequential ever captured of a individual from the royal household.

Present was the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a teenage girl, while another individual smiled knowingly in the background.

Absent that photograph, taken at a gathering in 2001, who would have believed the assertions of a young woman who stated she was transported across the ocean and compelled to have brief sexual encounters with a member of the royal family?

A curious, revealing action by someone who had openly asserted to have never known about her, asserted he could never have had sex with her, and yet paid millions of monarchical funds to resolve a long-delayed court action.

Years of Scandal

In this context, discussions of the monarchy acting swiftly to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This controversy has continued for the majority of 15 years since that picture, and a further photo of Andrew walking amiably with a disgraced financier emerged.

• Hubris: How long did his siblings, possibly even his mother and father, understand that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have understood, if his aides and the authorities were fulfilling their roles, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he unabashedly invited them to palaces.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the household did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his overspending with taxpayer funds.

Journeys were listed in royal annual reports: chopper travel from the royal residence to a country club and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of commercial flights, all for the benefit of "the travel enthusiast".

World of Deference

Additionally the presumption which demanded subservience when he walked into a room or the extreme awareness about his royal titles used on his official documents in letters to his associates.

He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who strangely spoiled him, was still surviving. The monarch did at least strip him of public duties and military positions in the wake of his catastrophic and, we now know, mendacious television interview six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last fortnight that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of biographical works giving more troubling particulars of his actions and that of his companions.

More information have again highlighted Andrew's assumption that he could escape deceiving about his relationship with a convicted criminal.

The public (and the journalists) were far ahead of the royal family. There was no one of any significance to support him, a result of all those years of hubris.

Monarchical Concerns

The more intelligent monarchical figures realized that. The key objective is to transfer the crown, if not as before at least complete and untarnished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to undo the image of previous monarchs, proving they are useful, responsible and responsive to their people.

He was placing all that in jeopardy in an time when deference and secrecy is no longer sufficient.

Consequences

Finally, the well-known hesitant monarch was pressured more. There was no other option. The institution had relinquished authority of the story.

Currently the stripping of honorifics and the persistent and lifetime personal shame that will afflict Andrew the most.

• Demotion: Demoted to just a private citizen
• Past Example: The first royal to forfeit his designations in recent history
• Armed Forces: Especially hurtful given his role in the conflict

He is still a royal advisor, theoretically able to act for the king, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but not any of these will ever come to pass.

What Lies Ahead

Will people he meets still show respect to him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Your Highness? Will they even say Mr,

Certainly, he is not moving to suburbia, but to the monarchy's extensive estate at a monarchical property.

At that location, he will be supplied by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of financial support.

This differs from his previous residence, where he paid a token rent for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit remote, but even so it may not be far enough.

Outstanding Concerns

This is not over. There are still documents in the possession of overseas authorities to be revealed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Will legislators seek further action
• Monetary Probe: Or investigate the waste of public money
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his actions

Possibly for the present the harm to the monarchy to the institution is limited. The message from the institution was clearly that the revocation of titles was what the king, and particularly other senior monarchical figures, desired.

A Shift in Position

The cessation of pretence that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, notably, the concise announcement showed clearly that the monarchy were supporting the victim's narrative of incidents.

Furthermore, for the premiere occasion they finally showed concern for the victims: "These actions are deemed necessary, despite the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, self-interest and laziness that will destroy the crown. In his foolishness, personal excess and corruption, Andrew gives the impression never to have learned that lesson.