🔗 Share this article Folly and Royal Self-Entitlement Sunk Andrew, and It Could Continue Yet This episode commenced with a isolated photograph, possibly the most impactful ever taken of a individual from the royal household. Present was the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a young woman, while an associate smiled knowingly in the rear. Absent that snapshot, shot at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the assertions of a young woman who said she was trafficked across the Atlantic and compelled to have cursory intimate contact with a prince of the monarchy? A curious, telling action by someone who had openly claimed to have no known about her, said he could never have had sex with her, and yet provided millions of monarchical money to avert a protracted lawsuit. Over a Decade of Controversy Considering this, conversations of the royal family acting decisively to cut Andrew off are misguided. This scandal has continued for the majority of 15 years since that image, and another photo of Andrew strolling pleasantly with a disgraced financier emerged. Self-importance: To what extent did his family members, perhaps even his mother and father, know that Andrew was so arrogant? Problematic Connections: They must have realized, if his staff and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some extremely unsavory companions given he unabashedly invited them to estates. Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the monarchy did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his overspending with public money. Journeys were listed in official documents: chopper travel from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for lunch, exclusive air travel instead of regular transport, all for the comfort of "the travel enthusiast". Existence of Entitlement Additionally the entitlement which expected respect when he entered a space or the profound obsession about his royal titles used on his official documents in communication to his associates. He managed to escape consequences while his matriarch, who inexplicably pampered him, was still living. The sovereign did at least revoke him of public duties and honorary colonelcies in the wake of his catastrophic and, as revealed, deceptive public statement six years ago. Latest Events It was only in the last two weeks that events accelerated, following the issuance of accounts giving more troubling details of his conduct and that of his companions. Additional revelations have again highlighted Andrew's belief that he could avoid lying about his contact with a convicted criminal. Society (and the journalists) were far in advance of the royal family. There was nobody of any consequence to defend him, a result of all those years of arrogance. Monarchical Concerns The more astute royals recognized that. The key objective is to pass on the monarchy, if not as heretofore at least complete and unstained. Over time the last 190 years trying to reverse the reputation of past sovereigns, proving they are useful, dutiful and reactive to their subjects. Andrew was putting all that in jeopardy in an era when respect and secrecy is no longer adequate. Aftermath Ultimately, the famously indecisive monarch was pushed more. There was no other option. The royal household had lost control of the story. Presently the loss of designations and the persistent and permanent social disgrace that will afflict Andrew the most. Downgrading: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor Historical Precedent: The primary monarch to surrender his designations in contemporary era Naval Career: Particularly stinging given his service in the Falklands war He remains a constitutional officer, in principle able to act for the king, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but none of these will truly occur. Coming Developments Do individuals he encounters still defer to him? Will they still slip up and call him Sir? Will they even say Sir, Certainly, he is not moving to suburbia, but to the sovereign's extensive grounds at a royal residence. In that place, he will be provided by the monarch with one of the estate properties and given some form of financial support. It is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a nominal rent for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit far, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed. Pending Matters This is not over. There are still files in the custody of US Congress to be revealed. Political Pressure: Might lawmakers seek further action Monetary Probe: Or scrutinize the improper use of taxpayer funds Judicial Potential: There may even be a police investigation into his conduct Possibly for the time being the reputational impact to the crown is limited. The message from the institution was clearly that the removal of honorifics was what the king, and particularly other senior family members, wanted. Changed Stance No more deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, notably, the brief announcement showed evidently that the institution were supporting the complainant's version of incidents. Even more, for the first time they finally showed consideration for the victims: "These actions are judged required, notwithstanding the truth that he continues to deny the allegations against him." Ultimately 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 grasped that truth.