🔗 Share this article Stupidity and Monarchical Hubris Sunk Andrew, and It May Not Be Over Yet The saga started with a single photograph, arguably the most consequential ever taken of a royal family member. In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, arm-in-arm a female youth, while an associate grinned conspiratorially in the background. Lacking that photograph, taken at a party in 2001, who would have believed the claims of a adolescent who declared she was trafficked across the sea and obliged to have brief intimate contact with a individual of the royal bloodline? An odd, indicative action by someone who had openly claimed to have not known about her, claimed he could never have had intimate contact with her, and yet handed over a substantial sum of family resources to avert a protracted legal case. A Long Period of Scandal Against this backdrop, conversations of the royal family acting firmly to distance themselves from Andrew are inaccurate. This affair has continued for the majority of 15 years since that photograph, and an additional image of Andrew strolling amiably with a convicted sex offender emerged. Hubris: To what extent did his family members, perhaps even his relatives, realize that Andrew was so self-entitled? Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his staff and the police were performing their duties, that he had some extremely unsavory companions given he publicly welcomed them to palaces. Financial Extravagance: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his extravagance with public money. Trips were printed in royal annual reports: private aircraft travel from the royal residence to a golf course and back again in time for lunch, exclusive air travel instead of commercial flights, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer". Existence of Entitlement Furthermore the arrogance which required respect when he walked into a room or the extreme obsession about his royal titles used on his letterheads in letters to his personal acquaintances. He managed to escape consequences while his matriarch, who inexplicably indulged him, was still surviving. The Queen did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and honorary colonelcies in the wake of his catastrophic and, as revealed, mendacious television interview six years ago. Current Situation It was only in the last fortnight that events sped up, following the publication of biographical works giving more troubling information of his conduct and that of his companions. Further disclosures have again highlighted Andrew's assumption that he could escape lying about his relationship with a notorious figure. People (and the press) were far in advance of the royal family. There was not a single person of any importance to support him, a result of all those years of presumption. Monarchical Concerns The wiser family members recognized that. The key objective is to pass on the institution, if not as previously at least complete and untarnished. They have spent the last 190 years trying to overcome the legacy of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are useful, accountable and reactive to their subjects. He was placing all that in jeopardy in an age when submission and secrecy is no longer sufficient. Consequences Ultimately, the notoriously hesitant sovereign was prodded further. There was no other option. The royal household had surrendered command of the story. Currently the loss of designations and the persistent and lifetime social disgrace that will hurt Andrew most severely. Downgrading: Demoted to just a commoner Historical Precedent: The initial monarch to lose his titles in recent history Armed Forces: Particularly stinging given his duty in the engagement He remains a counsellor of state, in principle able to act for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but neither of these will ever happen. What Lies Ahead Do individuals he comes across still acknowledge him? Might they still slip up and call him Prince? Might they say Sir, Certainly, he is not retiring to a common area, but to the royal family's vast property at a royal residence. At that location, he will be provided by the monarch with one of the estate properties and given some form of private allowance. This differs from his former home, where he paid a token lease for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit far, but even so it may not be adequate distance. Outstanding Concerns The situation continues. There are still records in the custody of American legislators to be revealed. Parliamentary Interest: Might parliament demand more Financial Investigation: Or scrutinize the misuse of state resources Judicial Potential: There may even be a police investigation into his actions Perhaps for the time being the institutional damage to the crown is limited. The statement from the palace was evidently that the removal of honorifics was what the sovereign, and particularly other senior royals, sought. Changed Stance No more pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, notably, the concise communication showed plainly that the royals were supporting the accuser's account of occurrences. Even more, for the premiere occasion they ultimately showed consideration for the survivors: "The censures are judged required, regardless of the reality that he maintains his innocence of the allegations against him." Ultimately it is entitlement, self-interest and indolence that will destroy the monarchy. In his foolishness, self-gratification and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that lesson.