🔗 Share this article Foolishness and Monarchical Hubris Damaged Andrew, and It Might Persist Yet This episode commenced with a single photograph, possibly the most significant ever taken of a member of the monarchy. In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a young woman, while a companion beamed knowingly in the rear. Lacking that snapshot, captured at a social event in 2001, who would have believed the assertions of a young woman who said she was transported across the sea and forced to have cursory sexual encounters with a individual of the royal family? An odd, indicative move by someone who had overtly stated to have never been aware of her, said he could no have had relations with her, and yet handed over a large amount of his mother's funds to avert a protracted court action. A Long Period of Disgrace In this context, discussions of the royals acting swiftly to cut Andrew off are misguided. This controversy has continued for the majority of 15 years since that image, and a further image of Andrew strolling amiably with a convicted sex offender came to light. Self-importance: For what duration did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his relatives, realize that Andrew was so presumptuous? Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his employees and the law enforcement were doing their jobs, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he unabashedly invited them to palaces. Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the monarchy did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his overspending with public money. Trips were documented in public records: private aircraft travel from the estate to a country club and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of regular transport, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer". World of Deference Furthermore the presumption which demanded deference when he walked into a room or the supreme obsession about his honorifics used on his correspondence in messages to his associates. He avoided accountability while his parent, who inexplicably indulged him, was still living. The sovereign did at least strip him of official roles and honorary colonelcies in the wake of his ill-fated and, as revealed, untruthful television interview six years ago. Recent Developments Just in the last two weeks that events accelerated, following the issuance of books giving more disturbing information of his conduct and that of his connections. Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could get away with being untruthful about his contact with a disgraced individual. People (and the media) were far in advance of the royals. There was no one of any significance to defend him, a outcome of all those years of hubris. Monarchical Concerns The more intelligent monarchical figures recognized that. The key objective is to transfer the monarchy, if not as before at least complete and unblemished. They have spent the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of previous monarchs, proving they are useful, accountable and reactive to their people. Andrew was putting all that in jeopardy in an time when submission and discretion is no longer sufficient. The Fallout Ultimately, the famously hesitant king was prodded more. There was no alternative. The palace had lost control of the narrative. Currently the removal of designations and the ongoing and life-long social disgrace that will pain Andrew most deeply. Downgrading: Lowered to just a private citizen Past Example: The initial royal to forfeit his designations in contemporary era Armed Forces: Particularly stinging given his role in the engagement He continues to be a counsellor of state, on paper able to stand in for the monarch, and he is still in the lineage to the crown, but not any of these will actually occur. Future Prospects Will people he encounters still acknowledge him? Could they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Might they say Mr, Of course, he is not withdrawing to a common area, but to the monarchy's vast estate at a royal residence. There, he will be furnished by the sovereign with one of the estate properties and given some form of financial support. It is not his previous residence, where he paid a minimal payment for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit remote, but even so it may not be far enough. Unresolved Issues The situation continues. There are still records in the hands of US Congress to be made public. Political Pressure: Could legislators demand more Fiscal Review: Or scrutinize the misuse of taxpayer funds Judicial Potential: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his conduct Possibly for the moment the institutional damage to the monarchy is restricted. The statement from the institution was clearly that the removal of titles was what the sovereign, and notably other senior monarchical figures, desired. Altered Approach An end to illusion that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, remarkably, the short announcement showed evidently that the institution were aligning with the accuser's version of events. Furthermore, for the initial instance they ultimately showed concern for the victims: "These actions are judged required, despite the reality that he maintains his innocence of the accusations against him." Ultimately it is presumption, selfishness and inactivity that will undermine the monarchy. In his folly, self-gratification and corruption, Andrew seems never to have understood that truth.