🔗 Share this article Folly and Royal Self-Entitlement Ruined Andrew, and It May Not Be Over Yet It all began with a single photograph, perhaps the most significant ever captured of a individual from the royal household. Present was the Duke of York, standing closely beside a teenage girl, while an associate smiled conspiratorially in the rear. Without that image, shot at a gathering in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the assertions of a adolescent who said she was transported across the Atlantic and compelled to have perfunctory sexual encounters with a member of the royal bloodline? An odd, indicative action by someone who had overtly claimed to have no known about her, claimed he could not have had intimate contact with her, and yet handed over millions of family funds to resolve a protracted lawsuit. A Long Period of Disgrace Against this backdrop, conversations of the monarchy acting decisively to distance themselves from Andrew are inaccurate. This affair has endured for the majority of 15 years since that image, and another snapshot of Andrew ambling amiably with a disgraced financier surfaced. Self-importance: How long did his siblings, possibly even his mother and father, know that Andrew was so arrogant? Questionable Associations: They must have understood, if his aides and the authorities were performing their duties, that he had some deeply disreputable friends given he publicly welcomed them to palaces. Financial Extravagance: If the monarchy did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his overspending with state resources. Trips were documented in royal annual reports: chopper flights from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of commercial flights, all for the convenience of "Airmiles Andy". Existence of Entitlement Then there was the presumption which required deference when he walked into a space or the supreme consciousness about his honorifics used on his letterheads in communication to his personal acquaintances. He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still living. The sovereign did at least remove him of public duties and military positions in the consequence of his ill-fated and, we now know, mendacious media appearance six years ago. Latest Events Just in the last fortnight that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of biographical works giving more grim particulars of his behavior and that of his companions. Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could avoid deceiving about his relationship with a convicted criminal. People (and the journalists) were far more perceptive of the royals. There was not a single person of any significance to support him, a outcome of all those years of presumption. Monarchical Concerns The more astute royals recognized that. The key objective is to transfer the monarchy, if not as before at least whole and unstained. Over time the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of previous monarchs, demonstrating they are valuable, responsible and reactive to their citizens. Andrew was putting all that in jeopardy in an age when deference and secrecy is no longer sufficient. Consequences Ultimately, the well-known indecisive sovereign was pressured more. There was no other option. The royal household had relinquished authority of the story. Presently the loss of titles and the persistent and life-long personal shame that will hurt Andrew most severely. Demotion: Reduced to just a commoner Past Example: The primary royal to surrender his honorifics in recent history Armed Forces: Notably stinging given his service in the engagement He remains a counsellor of state, on paper able to act for the monarch, and he is still in the succession to the monarchy, but neither of these will actually come to pass. What Lies Ahead Can persons he meets still acknowledge him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Will they even say Mr, Naturally, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's extensive property at a royal residence. There, he will be provided by the king with one of the royal residences and given some form of personal stipend. It is not his former home, where he paid a token lease for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit distant, but even so it may not be adequate distance. Pending Matters Matters remain unresolved. There are still records in the possession of overseas authorities to be revealed. Governmental Scrutiny: Might lawmakers seek further action Fiscal Review: Or investigate the improper use of state resources Legal Possibility: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his conduct Perhaps for the present the institutional damage to the institution is restricted. The narrative from the royal household was clearly that the revocation of designations was what the monarch, and especially other senior royals, desired. Changed Stance An end to pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, remarkably, the concise statement showed evidently that the monarchy were aligning with the victim's version of occurrences. Even more, for the first time they ultimately showed consideration for the affected individuals: "The measures are judged required, notwithstanding the truth that he continues to deny the claims against him." Finally it is entitlement, self-interest and laziness that will kill the monarchy. In his folly, self-indulgence and greed, Andrew seems never to have learned that truth.