🔗 Share this article Folly and Royal Self-Entitlement Sunk Andrew, and It Might Persist Yet It all began with a solitary photograph, arguably the most consequential ever taken of a individual from the royal household. Present was the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a female youth, while an associate smiled conspiratorially in the background. Without that photograph, captured at a social event in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a adolescent who declared she was transported across the sea and forced to have cursory intimate contact with a individual of the royal bloodline? An odd, telling action by someone who had openly stated to have no heard of her, claimed he could not have had intimate contact with her, and yet handed over millions of his mother's money to resolve a protracted legal case. Over a Decade of Controversy Considering this, talk of the royals acting swiftly to sever ties with Andrew are misguided. This scandal has continued for the largest portion of 15 years since that picture, and an additional snapshot of Andrew ambling congenially with a disgraced financier emerged. Arrogance: How long did his siblings, perhaps even his relatives, realize that Andrew was so arrogant? Problematic Connections: They must have realized, if his aides and the police were performing their duties, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he publicly welcomed them to palaces. Monetary Excess: If the monarchy did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources. Trips were printed in royal annual reports: helicopter travel from the palace to a country club and back again in time for dining, chartered planes instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer". Existence of Entitlement Then there was the presumption which required subservience when he entered a room or the extreme consciousness about his honorifics used on his official documents in messages to his friends. He could get away with it while his parent, who unaccountably pampered him, was still surviving. The sovereign did at least strip him of royal responsibilities and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his disastrous and, it is now clear, deceptive television interview six years ago. Latest Events Just in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the issuance of books giving more disturbing information of his actions and that of his connections. More information have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could get away with deceiving about his relationship with a disgraced individual. Society (and the journalists) were far ahead of the royals. There was not a single person of any consequence to speak up for him, a outcome of all those years of arrogance. Royal Worries The wiser monarchical figures recognized that. The primary concern is to transfer the monarchy, if not as before at least whole and untarnished. For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the legacy of past sovereigns, showing they are useful, dutiful and reactive to their citizens. Andrew was putting all that in peril in an era when submission and discretion is no longer sufficient. Consequences Ultimately, the notoriously hesitant monarch was pushed additional. There was no other option. The palace had surrendered command of the account. Presently the stripping of designations and the continued and lifetime personal shame that will afflict Andrew most severely. Demotion: Lowered to just a private citizen Past Example: The initial royal to forfeit his honorifics in contemporary era Naval Career: Notably painful given his service in the Falklands war He is still a royal advisor, theoretically able to act for the king, and he is still in the lineage to the throne, but not any of these will actually come to pass. What Lies Ahead Can persons he meets still show respect to him? Might they still slip up and call him Sir? Might they say Mr, Naturally, he is not retiring to an ordinary town, but to the monarchy's vast estate at Sandringham. At that location, he will be supplied by the king with one of the estate properties and given some form of financial support. This differs from his prior accommodation, where he paid a nominal lease for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit distant, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed. Outstanding Concerns This is not over. There are still files in the hands of US Congress to be revealed. Parliamentary Interest: Will legislators request additional information Monetary Probe: Or examine the improper use of public money Judicial Potential: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his conduct Perhaps for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the crown is restricted. The narrative from the institution was evidently that the stripping of designations was what the monarch, and especially other senior family members, wanted. Changed Stance No more deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the brief communication showed clearly that the royals were siding with the victim's narrative of incidents. Additionally, for the initial instance they finally showed regard for the survivors: "The measures are considered essential, regardless of the fact that he persists in refuting the accusations against him." Ultimately it is entitlement, self-seeking and laziness that will destroy the crown. In his stupidity, personal excess and venality, Andrew seems never to have understood that lesson.