🔗 Share this article Stupidity and Royal Self-Entitlement Sunk Andrew, and It May Not Be Over Yet This episode commenced with a single photograph, perhaps the most impactful ever snapped of a royal family member. In the frame appeared the Earl of Inverness, standing closely beside a young woman, while a companion beamed knowingly in the backdrop. Absent that photograph, taken at a gathering in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a adolescent who declared she was moved across the Atlantic and forced to have cursory intimate contact with a individual of the monarchy? An odd, revealing action by someone who had overtly claimed to have not heard of her, claimed he could no have had intimate contact with her, and yet paid a large amount of monarchical money to resolve a long-delayed court action. Over a Decade of Disgrace Against this backdrop, discussions of the royal family acting firmly to cut Andrew off are misguided. This affair has persisted for the largest portion of 15 years since that picture, and another photo of Andrew strolling congenially with a disgraced financier came to light. Arrogance: To what extent did his siblings, perhaps even his parents, know that Andrew was so presumptuous? Problematic Connections: They must have known, if his employees and the law enforcement were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable associates given he unabashedly hosted them to palaces. Monetary Excess: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his overspending with taxpayer funds. Trips were listed in official documents: private aircraft travel from the estate to a sporting venue and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of commercial flights, all for the convenience of "the frequent flyer". A Life of Privilege Then there was the presumption which expected respect when he entered a area or the extreme obsession about his designations used on his letterheads in letters to his personal acquaintances. He could get away with it while his mother, who unaccountably indulged him, was still alive. The monarch did at least strip him of public duties and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his catastrophic and, as revealed, untruthful public statement six years ago. Latest Events Merely in the last fortnight that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of biographical works giving more troubling details of his conduct and that of his connections. Further disclosures have again exposed Andrew's assumption that he could avoid deceiving about his relationship with a convicted criminal. The public (and the media) were far in advance of the royals. There was no one of any consequence to defend him, a result of all those years of hubris. Institutional Fears The more astute monarchical figures realized that. The one imperative is to hand down the monarchy, if not as before at least whole and unstained. Over time the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are beneficial, responsible and responsive to their subjects. He was placing all that in jeopardy in an age when submission and discretion is no longer adequate. The Fallout Eventually, the notoriously indecisive king was pressured more. There was little choice. The institution had lost control of the narrative. Currently the removal of titles and the continued and life-long social disgrace that will hurt Andrew most severely. Downgrading: Reduced to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor Historical Precedent: The first royal to lose his titles in contemporary era Armed Forces: Particularly stinging given his service in the Falklands war He remains a constitutional officer, in principle able to stand in for the king, and he is still in the lineage to the monarchy, but not any of these will actually occur. Future Prospects Can persons he meets still acknowledge him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Might they say Andrew, Naturally, he is not retiring to suburbia, but to the sovereign's large estate at Sandringham. In that place, he will be provided by the monarch with one of the grace and favour houses and given some form of personal stipend. It is not his previous residence, where he paid a minimal payment for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit remote, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed. Pending Matters The situation continues. There are still documents in the hands of overseas authorities to be disclosed. Parliamentary Interest: Could parliament request additional information Financial Investigation: Or scrutinize the misuse of taxpayer funds Legal Possibility: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior Maybe for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the monarchy is limited. The statement from the royal household was evidently that the revocation of titles was what the sovereign, and notably other senior family members, desired. Altered Approach An end to illusion that Andrew was acting willingly. And, remarkably, the brief announcement showed plainly that the royals were aligning with the accuser's account of occurrences. Furthermore, for the premiere occasion they ultimately showed concern for the affected individuals: "These actions are deemed necessary, despite the truth that he persists in refuting the accusations against him." Ultimately it is presumption, selfishness and laziness that will undermine the monarchy. In his folly, personal excess and venality, Andrew appears never to have learned that truth.