🔗 Share this article Foolishness and Monarchical Hubris Sunk Andrew, and It May Not Be Over Yet The saga started with a single photograph, possibly the most significant ever captured of a royal family member. Present was the Earl of Inverness, standing closely beside a young woman, while an associate smiled conspiratorially in the rear. Absent that image, shot at a social event in 2001, who would have believed the claims of a teenager who said she was moved across the Atlantic and forced to have brief relations with a member of the monarchy? A strange, indicative gesture by someone who had openly claimed to have not known about her, claimed he could never have had relations with her, and yet provided a substantial sum of monarchical resources to avert a protracted legal case. A Long Period of Controversy In this context, conversations of the royals acting firmly to distance themselves from Andrew are inaccurate. This affair has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and a further photo of Andrew walking amiably with a disgraced financier emerged. Self-importance: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, possibly even his relatives, realize that Andrew was so presumptuous? Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his staff and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some extremely unsavory friends given he unabashedly welcomed them to royal residences. Monetary Excess: If the household did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds. Trips were listed in public records: helicopter transfers from the estate to a sporting venue and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of commercial flights, all for the comfort of "the travel enthusiast". World of Deference Then there was the arrogance which required subservience when he appeared in a room or the profound obsession about his royal titles used on his official documents in messages to his associates. He could get away with it while his parent, who inexplicably spoiled him, was still surviving. The sovereign did at least strip him of public duties and military positions in the wake of his ill-fated and, we now know, untruthful public statement six years ago. Recent Developments It was only in the last two weeks that events progressed rapidly, following the release of books giving more disturbing information of his conduct and that of his associates. More information have again exposed Andrew's belief that he could get away with lying about his interaction with a notorious figure. The public (and the media) were far in advance of the royals. There was no one of any significance to support him, a result of all those years of arrogance. Monarchical Concerns The wiser family members realized that. The key objective is to hand down the crown, if not as before at least complete and unblemished. They have spent the last 190 years trying to overcome the image of earlier rulers, proving they are beneficial, accountable and attentive to their citizens. His actions endangered all that in peril in an time when submission and privacy is no longer enough. Aftermath Finally, the well-known indecisive monarch was prodded more. There was no other option. The palace had lost control of the narrative. Currently the removal of titles and the continued and lifetime social disgrace that will afflict Andrew most severely. Downgrading: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor Historical Precedent: The primary member to surrender his titles in recent history Naval Career: Particularly stinging given his role in the conflict He is still a counsellor of state, on paper able to substitute for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the throne, but neither of these will ever happen. Coming Developments Do individuals he comes across still defer to him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Sir? Might they say Sir, Of course, he is not moving to a common area, but to the sovereign's vast grounds at a royal residence. At that location, he will be furnished by the monarch with one of the royal residences and given some type of private allowance. This differs from his prior accommodation, where he paid a minimal rent for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit far, but even so it may not be adequate distance. Pending Matters This is not over. There are still files in the hands of overseas authorities to be revealed. Governmental Scrutiny: Will parliament request additional information Fiscal Review: Or investigate the misuse of state resources Judicial Potential: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his actions Possibly for the present the reputational impact to the crown is limited. The message from the royal household was clearly that the removal of honorifics was what the monarch, and particularly other senior royals, sought. Altered Approach No more deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, remarkably, the brief communication showed clearly that the royals were supporting the accuser's account of occurrences. Furthermore, for the initial instance they eventually showed concern for the victims: "The censures are deemed necessary, despite the truth that he continues to deny the claims against him." Ultimately it is entitlement, self-interest and indolence that will kill the monarchy. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and greed, Andrew appears never to have learned that lesson.