🔗 Share this article Foolishness and Royal Self-Entitlement Damaged Andrew, and It May Not Be Over Yet The saga started with a single photograph, possibly the most consequential ever taken of a member of the monarchy. In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a teenage girl, while a companion grinned conspiratorially in the background. Absent that photograph, taken at a social event in 2001, who would have believed the claims of a teenager who stated she was moved across the ocean and compelled to have brief sexual encounters with a individual of the royal bloodline? A curious, indicative move by someone who had openly stated to have never heard of her, claimed he could never have had sex with her, and yet handed over a large amount of monarchical resources to resolve a long-delayed court action. Over a Decade of Disgrace Considering this, conversations of the monarchy acting firmly to cut Andrew off are misguided. This scandal has continued for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and an additional photo of Andrew strolling congenially with a notorious individual emerged. Hubris: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his parents, know that Andrew was so self-entitled? Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his staff and the authorities were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable associates given he openly invited them to palaces. Financial Extravagance: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his overspending with state resources. Journeys were listed in public records: private aircraft transfers from the palace to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, exclusive air travel instead of regular transport, all for the convenience of "the travel enthusiast". Existence of Entitlement Additionally the arrogance which expected respect when he entered a room or the extreme consciousness about his honorifics used on his letterheads in communication to his associates. He avoided accountability while his mother, who strangely pampered him, was still surviving. The Queen did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and honorary colonelcies in the consequence of his disastrous and, as revealed, deceptive public statement six years ago. Latest Events Just in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the publication of biographical works giving more disturbing particulars of his conduct and that of his associates. More information have again revealed Andrew's assumption that he could get away with deceiving about his interaction with a disgraced individual. Society (and the media) were far ahead of the monarchy. There was no one of any significance to speak up for him, a result of all those years of hubris. Monarchical Concerns The more intelligent royals understood that. The key objective is to hand down the monarchy, if not as before at least complete and unblemished. Over time the last 190 years trying to reverse the reputation of past sovereigns, showing they are beneficial, accountable and responsive to their citizens. Andrew was putting all that in danger in an time when submission and privacy is no longer adequate. The Fallout Finally, the well-known indecisive monarch was pressured more. There was no alternative. The institution had relinquished authority of the narrative. Now it is the loss of designations and the persistent and lifetime public humiliation that will hurt Andrew the most. Demotion: Demoted to just a private citizen Prior Instance: The primary monarch to forfeit his titles in recent history Naval Career: Particularly hurtful given his service in the conflict He continues to be a royal advisor, on paper able to substitute for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the throne, but not any of these will truly occur. Coming Developments Will people he meets still show respect to him? Could they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Would they say Andrew, Naturally, he is not moving to an ordinary town, but to the monarchy's large grounds at a monarchical property. At that location, he will be provided by the king with one of the grace and favour houses and given some form of financial support. This differs from his previous residence, where he paid a token rent for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit distant, but even so it may not be adequate distance. Outstanding Concerns This is not over. There are still documents in the hands of American legislators to be made public. Governmental Scrutiny: Will legislators seek further action Fiscal Review: Or investigate the misuse of public money Legal Possibility: There may even be a police investigation into his actions Perhaps for the time being 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 royals, sought. A Shift in Position The cessation of illusion that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, notably, the brief communication showed clearly that the royals were siding with the accuser's account of occurrences. Furthermore, for the first time they eventually showed consideration for the victims: "The measures are considered essential, regardless of the truth that he continues to deny the claims against him." In the end it is arrogance, self-interest and laziness that will undermine the monarchy. In his foolishness, self-gratification and venality, Andrew appears never to have understood that truth.