🔗 Share this article Foolishness and Monarchical Hubris Damaged Andrew, and It May Not Be Over Yet This episode commenced with a solitary photograph, perhaps the most impactful ever snapped of a royal family member. In the frame appeared the Earl of Inverness, arm-in-arm a young woman, while an associate grinned knowingly in the rear. Without that photograph, captured at a gathering in 2001, who would have believed the assertions of a young woman who declared she was moved across the ocean and forced to have brief relations with a prince of the royal bloodline? A curious, revealing gesture by someone who had openly asserted to have no been aware of her, said he could not have had sex with her, and yet handed over millions of family money to avert a protracted legal case. A Long Period of Disgrace Considering this, talk of the royal family acting firmly to cut Andrew off are misguided. This affair has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that picture, and an additional photo of Andrew walking pleasantly with a notorious individual surfaced. Hubris: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his mother and father, know that Andrew was so presumptuous? Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his aides and the authorities were doing their jobs, that he had some extremely unsavory companions given he openly hosted them to royal residences. Monetary Excess: If the household did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with public money. Trips were printed in public records: helicopter flights from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "Airmiles Andy". A Life of Privilege Then there was the entitlement which required respect when he entered a space or the supreme obsession about his designations used on his official documents in letters to his friends. He could get away with it while his mother, who inexplicably indulged him, was still alive. The sovereign did at least strip him of public duties and honorary colonelcies in the aftermath of his catastrophic and, as revealed, mendacious public statement six years ago. Latest Events It was only in the last fortnight that events sped up, following the issuance of accounts giving more grim particulars of his behavior and that of his connections. Additional revelations have again revealed Andrew's assumption that he could get away with being untruthful about his contact with a convicted criminal. Society (and the journalists) were far ahead of the royals. There was no one of any significance to speak up for him, a consequence of all those years of arrogance. Royal Worries The more astute monarchical figures recognized that. The primary concern is to hand down the monarchy, if not as heretofore at least whole and unblemished. Over time the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are beneficial, responsible and attentive to their people. His actions endangered all that in jeopardy in an time when submission and discretion is no longer enough. Aftermath Eventually, the well-known uncertain sovereign was prodded more. There was no other option. The palace had lost control of the narrative. Now it is the loss of designations and the persistent and lifetime personal shame that will afflict Andrew most severely. Reduction: Demoted to just a commoner Historical Precedent: The initial royal to forfeit his designations in modern times Naval Career: Particularly hurtful given his role in the engagement He continues to be a royal advisor, theoretically able to stand in for the monarch, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but none of these will truly happen. Future Prospects Will people he comes across still defer to him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Will they even say Mr, Certainly, he is not retiring to a common area, but to the royal family's large grounds at a royal residence. In that place, he will be supplied by the monarch with one of the estate properties and given some sort of financial support. This is not his previous residence, where he paid a minimal lease for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit distant, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed. Pending Matters This is not over. There are still records in the hands of American legislators to be disclosed. Parliamentary Interest: Might legislators seek further action Fiscal Review: Or examine the misuse of public money Criminal Investigation: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his actions Possibly for the present the reputational impact to the crown is restricted. The narrative from the royal household was clearly that the stripping of designations was what the king, and notably other senior royals, wanted. A Shift in Position An end to deception that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, notably, the concise announcement showed plainly that the monarchy were supporting the accuser's version of incidents. Furthermore, for the premiere occasion they ultimately showed regard for the affected individuals: "The censures are judged required, despite the truth that he persists in refuting the allegations against him." In the end it is arrogance, self-seeking and laziness that will kill the institution. In his folly, self-indulgence and venality, Andrew appears never to have grasped that truth.