🔗 Share this article Stupidity and Royal Self-Entitlement Sunk Andrew, and It May Not Be Over Yet This episode commenced with a single photograph, arguably the most impactful ever captured of a individual from the royal household. Present was the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a teenage girl, while another individual smiled knowingly in the background. Lacking that snapshot, shot at a gathering in 2001, who would have believed the allegations of a young woman who said she was transported across the Atlantic and forced to have brief intimate contact with a individual of the monarchy? An odd, telling gesture by someone who had overtly asserted to have never been aware of her, asserted he could not have had relations with her, and yet handed over a substantial sum of his mother's resources to avert a protracted legal case. Years of Disgrace In this context, talk of the royals acting swiftly to cut Andrew off are misguided. This controversy has continued for the largest portion of 15 years since that picture, and a further image of Andrew walking congenially with a notorious individual emerged. Arrogance: How long did his siblings, perhaps even his mother and father, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous? Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his employees and the law enforcement were doing their jobs, that he had some deeply disreputable friends given he openly hosted them to royal residences. Monetary Excess: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds. Trips were listed in public records: private aircraft travel from the estate to a sporting venue and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of commercial flights, all for the comfort of "Airmiles Andy". A Life of Privilege Furthermore the arrogance which required deference when he entered a room or the extreme obsession about his designations used on his letterheads in messages to his personal acquaintances. He could get away with it while his parent, who inexplicably spoiled him, was still surviving. The monarch did at least revoke him of official roles and honorary colonelcies in the consequence of his disastrous and, as revealed, deceptive television interview six years ago. Latest Events It was only in the last two weeks that events sped up, following the publication of books giving more grim information of his behavior and that of his associates. Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could escape being untruthful about his contact with a notorious figure. Society (and the media) were far ahead of the royal family. There was not a single person of any consequence to speak up for him, a consequence of all those years of presumption. Institutional Fears The more intelligent monarchical figures understood that. The primary concern is to hand down the institution, if not as heretofore at least complete and untarnished. Over time the last 190 years trying to undo the image of previous monarchs, demonstrating they are useful, responsible and responsive to their subjects. His actions endangered all that in peril in an age when deference and secrecy is no longer adequate. Aftermath Finally, the famously uncertain monarch was prodded more. There was no alternative. The institution had surrendered command of the account. Now it is the loss of titles and the continued and permanent personal shame that will afflict Andrew the most. Downgrading: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor Prior Instance: The first royal to surrender his titles in modern times Military Service: Especially hurtful given his role in the Falklands war He remains a constitutional officer, on paper able to substitute for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but none of these will ever come to pass. Future Prospects Do individuals he comes across still acknowledge him? Will they still slip up and call him Sir? Might they say Mr, Naturally, he is not moving to a common area, but to the monarchy's vast grounds at Sandringham. In that place, he will be provided by the monarch with one of the royal residences and given some sort of private allowance. This differs from his former home, where he paid a minimal lease for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit remote, but even so it may not be adequate distance. Outstanding Concerns This is not over. There are still records in the possession of US Congress to be made public. Governmental Scrutiny: Might lawmakers seek further action Fiscal Review: Or investigate the misuse of taxpayer funds Judicial Potential: There may even be a criminal probe into his actions Perhaps for the present the institutional damage to the institution is limited. The statement from the institution was plainly that the stripping of designations was what the sovereign, and notably other senior monarchical figures, sought. Altered Approach The cessation of pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, remarkably, the short communication showed evidently that the monarchy were supporting the victim's version of occurrences. Even more, for the premiere occasion they ultimately showed concern for the affected individuals: "The censures are judged required, regardless of the truth that he persists in refuting the allegations against him." Ultimately it is presumption, self-seeking and laziness that will kill the monarchy. In his foolishness, self-gratification and venality, Andrew appears never to have understood that lesson.