🔗 Share this article Folly and Royal Self-Entitlement Ruined Andrew, and It Could Continue Yet This episode commenced with a solitary photograph, possibly the most significant ever snapped of a individual from the royal household. Present was the Duke of York, arm-in-arm a teenage girl, while another individual smiled suggestively in the background. Lacking that snapshot, shot at a gathering in 2001, who would have believed the claims of a teenager who stated she was trafficked across the Atlantic and compelled to have cursory intimate contact with a individual of the royal bloodline? A curious, indicative action by someone who had publicly stated to have not heard of her, asserted he could no have had relations with her, and yet handed over millions of his mother's funds to settle a long-delayed legal case. Years of Controversy In this context, discussions of the royal family acting decisively to cut Andrew off are misguided. This affair has persisted for the majority of 15 years since that photograph, and an additional photo of Andrew strolling congenially with a disgraced financier surfaced. Hubris: How long did his family members, perhaps even his relatives, know that Andrew was so arrogant? Dubious Friendships: They must have understood, if his employees and the authorities were doing their jobs, that he had some highly questionable friends given he publicly invited them to palaces. Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with state resources. Travel were documented in public records: private aircraft flights from the royal residence to a country club and back again in time for dining, chartered planes instead of commercial flights, all for the convenience of "the frequent flyer". Existence of Entitlement Then there was the presumption which expected deference when he walked into a space or the extreme obsession about his honorifics used on his correspondence in letters to his friends. He avoided accountability while his parent, who unaccountably indulged him, was still living. The Queen did at least revoke him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the wake of his catastrophic and, it is now clear, untruthful media appearance six years ago. Current Situation Just in the last two weeks that events sped up, following the release of books giving more grim details of his conduct and that of his companions. Further disclosures have again highlighted Andrew's belief that he could avoid lying about his relationship with a disgraced individual. People (and the press) were far more perceptive of the royals. There was not a single person of any significance to support him, a consequence of all those years of presumption. Royal Worries The more intelligent royals realized that. The primary concern is to transfer the crown, if not as previously at least complete and untarnished. For generations the last 190 years trying to reverse the image of previous monarchs, demonstrating they are useful, accountable and reactive to their subjects. His actions endangered all that in danger in an time when deference and secrecy is no longer sufficient. The Fallout Ultimately, the famously hesitant sovereign was pressured further. There was no other option. The institution had relinquished authority of the account. Now it is the removal of honorifics and the persistent and life-long personal shame that will afflict Andrew most severely. Downgrading: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor Historical Precedent: The primary member to forfeit his titles in recent history Armed Forces: Particularly stinging given his role in the Falklands war He is still a counsellor of state, in principle able to act for the king, and he is still eighth in line to the monarchy, but not any of these will actually happen. Coming Developments Can persons he encounters still defer to him? Might they still make mistakes and call him Sir? Might they say Andrew, Naturally, he is not withdrawing to a common area, but to the monarchy's extensive estate at a monarchical property. In that place, he will be supplied by the king with one of the grace and favour houses and given some form of personal stipend. This differs from his former home, where he paid a nominal lease for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit far, but even so it may not be adequate distance. Unresolved Issues Matters remain unresolved. There are still documents in the custody of US Congress to be revealed. Governmental Scrutiny: Will parliament request additional information Fiscal Review: Or scrutinize the misuse of state resources Criminal Investigation: There may even be a police investigation into his actions Possibly for the time being the reputational impact to the institution is restricted. The statement from the palace was plainly that the removal of titles was what the king, and notably other senior monarchical figures, sought. A Shift in Position No more illusion that Andrew was acting willingly. And, remarkably, the concise announcement showed evidently that the royals were siding with the complainant's narrative of incidents. Furthermore, for the initial instance they ultimately showed regard for the survivors: "These actions are considered essential, notwithstanding the truth that he maintains his innocence of the accusations against him." Finally it is presumption, selfishness and indolence that will destroy the crown. In his folly, personal excess and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that reality.