🔗 Share this article Stupidity and Regal Arrogance Ruined Andrew, and It May Not Be Over Yet It all began with a isolated photograph, perhaps the most consequential ever captured of a individual from the royal household. There stood the Duke of York, arm-in-arm a young woman, while an associate grinned knowingly in the backdrop. Lacking that snapshot, taken at a social event in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the allegations of a young woman who declared she was moved across the Atlantic and forced to have cursory sexual encounters with a prince of the royal bloodline? A strange, telling gesture by someone who had overtly claimed to have no heard of her, claimed he could never have had sex with her, and yet paid millions of family funds to resolve a long-delayed lawsuit. Over a Decade of Scandal In this context, discussions of the monarchy acting swiftly to sever ties with Andrew are wide of the mark. This scandal has continued for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and a further photo of Andrew strolling pleasantly with a notorious individual emerged. Self-importance: For what duration did his family members, possibly even his parents, know that Andrew was so presumptuous? Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his employees and the authorities were doing their jobs, that he had some extremely unsavory associates given he unabashedly welcomed them to estates. Financial Extravagance: If the household did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with public money. Travel were documented in public records: helicopter flights from the estate to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, chartered planes instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "the travel enthusiast". Existence of Entitlement Additionally the presumption which required subservience when he appeared in a room or the supreme obsession about his honorifics used on his official documents in messages to his associates. He managed to escape consequences while his mother, who unaccountably indulged him, was still living. The Queen did at least revoke him of public duties and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his disastrous and, it is now clear, deceptive public statement six years ago. Current Situation Just in the last fortnight that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of books giving more troubling details of his actions and that of his associates. Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could get away with deceiving about his contact with a notorious figure. Society (and the press) were far more perceptive of the monarchy. There was not a single person of any importance to speak up for him, a consequence of all those years of hubris. Institutional Fears The wiser monarchical figures recognized that. The key objective is to hand down the monarchy, if not as previously at least intact and unstained. Over time the last 190 years trying to overcome the image of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are beneficial, responsible and reactive to their subjects. He was placing all that in peril in an age when respect and discretion is no longer enough. Aftermath Eventually, the well-known uncertain king was pressured further. There was little choice. The palace had surrendered command of the story. Now it is the stripping of honorifics and the continued and lifetime public humiliation that will pain Andrew most deeply. Demotion: Lowered to just a commoner Past Example: The primary member to forfeit his designations in modern times Naval Career: Notably hurtful given his service in the Falklands war He remains a constitutional officer, in principle able to act for the monarch, and he is still in the succession to the monarchy, but not any of these will truly come to pass. What Lies Ahead Can persons he encounters still defer to him? Will they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Will they even say Andrew, Certainly, he is not withdrawing to suburbia, but to the royal family's large estate at a monarchical property. In that place, he will be furnished by the monarch with one of the estate properties and given some form of financial support. It is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a minimal lease for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit far, but even so it may not be adequate distance. Pending Matters The situation continues. There are still files in the hands of overseas authorities to be revealed. Parliamentary Interest: Might legislators demand more Financial Investigation: Or examine the misuse of state resources Criminal Investigation: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his actions Maybe for the time being the reputational impact to the institution is restricted. The message from the institution was evidently that the revocation of titles was what the monarch, and especially other senior family members, wanted. Altered Approach An end to deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, remarkably, the brief announcement showed plainly that the royals were supporting the complainant's narrative of events. Additionally, for the first time they finally showed regard for the victims: "These actions are judged required, despite the reality that he persists in refuting the allegations against him." Finally it is presumption, self-interest and indolence that will kill the crown. In his folly, self-gratification and corruption, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that truth.