🔗 Share this article Foolishness and Royal Self-Entitlement Ruined Andrew, and It May Not Be Over Yet It all began with a single photograph, possibly the most consequential ever captured of a individual from the royal household. In the frame appeared the Duke of York, arm-in-arm a female youth, while an associate grinned suggestively in the rear. Absent that photograph, shot at a social event in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a young woman who declared she was trafficked across the Atlantic and forced to have brief intimate contact with a member of the monarchy? A strange, telling action by someone who had overtly asserted to have never known about her, claimed he could not have had sex with her, and yet handed over millions of family funds to settle a protracted legal case. Years of Disgrace Considering this, conversations of the royal family acting swiftly to distance themselves from Andrew are inaccurate. This scandal has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and another snapshot of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a notorious individual surfaced. Arrogance: How long did his family members, perhaps even his relatives, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous? Dubious Friendships: They must have understood, if his employees and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some deeply disreputable associates given he publicly welcomed them to royal residences. Monetary Excess: If the monarchy did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with public money. Journeys were listed 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 regular transport, all for the convenience of "Airmiles Andy". A Life of Privilege Then there was the presumption which demanded respect when he entered a room or the profound obsession about his honorifics used on his official documents in communication to his personal acquaintances. He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still living. The Queen did at least remove him of official roles and military positions in the aftermath of his ill-fated and, it is now clear, mendacious media appearance six years ago. Current Situation Merely in the last fortnight that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of accounts giving more grim information of his actions and that of his associates. Further disclosures have again exposed Andrew's assumption that he could escape being untruthful about his contact with a convicted criminal. People (and the press) were far in advance of the royal family. There was not a single person of any importance to speak up for him, a result of all those years of arrogance. Royal Worries The more astute royals understood that. The primary concern is to hand down the monarchy, if not as previously at least complete and unstained. They have spent the last 190 years trying to reverse the image of previous monarchs, showing they are useful, dutiful and responsive to their subjects. His actions endangered all that in peril in an era when respect and discretion is no longer adequate. The Fallout Ultimately, the notoriously hesitant sovereign was pressured more. There was little choice. The royal household had surrendered command of the narrative. Presently the removal of honorifics and the persistent and permanent social disgrace that will pain Andrew most severely. Reduction: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor Historical Precedent: The first monarch to forfeit his honorifics in modern times Naval Career: Especially hurtful given his role in the conflict He continues to be a constitutional officer, on paper able to act for the sovereign, and he is still in the lineage to the throne, but not any of these will truly come to pass. Coming Developments Will people he comes across still show respect to him? Will they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Will they even say Sir, Of course, he is not withdrawing to a common area, but to the sovereign's vast grounds at a royal residence. There, he will be supplied by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of personal stipend. This differs from his previous residence, where he paid a token payment 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 hands of US Congress to be revealed. Parliamentary Interest: Will parliament seek further action Fiscal Review: Or investigate the improper use of taxpayer funds Judicial Potential: There may even be a criminal probe into his behavior Possibly for the present the institutional damage to the institution is restricted. The statement from the palace was clearly that the revocation of designations was what the king, and notably other senior royals, sought. Changed Stance No more deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the concise statement showed clearly that the monarchy were siding with the complainant's version of occurrences. Additionally, for the first time they eventually showed concern for the affected individuals: "The measures are deemed necessary, regardless of the fact that he persists in refuting the allegations against him." Ultimately it is entitlement, self-interest and indolence that will kill the institution. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and greed, Andrew seems never to have grasped that truth.