🔗 Share this article Stupidity and Regal Arrogance Sunk Andrew, and It May Not Be Over Yet It all began with a solitary photograph, perhaps the most significant ever taken of a royal family member. There stood the Earl of Inverness, arm-in-arm a teenage girl, while an associate grinned suggestively in the rear. Lacking that image, captured at a gathering in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a adolescent who declared she was trafficked across the ocean and obliged to have perfunctory relations with a member of the royal bloodline? A curious, revealing action by someone who had openly claimed to have not been aware of her, said he could never have had intimate contact with her, and yet provided a substantial sum of monarchical resources to settle a drawn-out court action. Over a Decade of Disgrace Considering this, conversations of the royal family acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are misguided. This scandal has persisted for the majority of 15 years since that image, and another photo of Andrew walking amiably with a convicted sex offender came to light. Self-importance: How long did his family members, perhaps even his parents, realize that Andrew was so self-entitled? Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his aides and the authorities were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable associates given he publicly invited them to palaces. Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds. Travel were printed in official documents: chopper flights from the estate to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, private flights instead of regular transport, all for the benefit of "the travel enthusiast". Existence of Entitlement Then there was the presumption which required respect when he appeared in a space or the profound awareness about his designations used on his official documents in communication to his associates. He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who inexplicably pampered him, was still alive. The sovereign did at least strip him of public duties and honorary colonelcies in the aftermath of his disastrous and, as revealed, mendacious television interview six years ago. Current Situation Merely in the last fortnight that events sped up, following the publication of biographical works giving more disturbing details of his actions and that of his connections. Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's assumption that he could escape being untruthful about his relationship with a convicted criminal. The public (and the media) were far in advance of the royal family. There was nobody of any consequence to defend him, a outcome of all those years of arrogance. Royal Worries The more intelligent monarchical figures realized that. The key objective is to hand down the monarchy, if not as before at least intact and unblemished. They have spent the last 190 years trying to overcome the reputation of earlier rulers, proving they are valuable, accountable and responsive to their citizens. His actions endangered all that in danger in an era when deference and secrecy is no longer adequate. Consequences Eventually, the famously uncertain king was pressured more. There was no other option. The royal household had lost control of the narrative. Presently the removal of titles and the ongoing and life-long social disgrace that will hurt Andrew the most. Reduction: Demoted to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor Historical Precedent: The initial royal to lose his designations in contemporary era Naval Career: Especially hurtful given his duty in the engagement He remains a counsellor of state, in principle able to act for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the monarchy, but neither of these will truly occur. Coming Developments Can persons he comes across still acknowledge him? Might they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Would they say Andrew, Of course, he is not moving to a common area, but to the sovereign's large property at a royal residence. There, he will be supplied by the sovereign with one of the royal residences and given some form of financial support. This differs from his previous residence, where he paid a minimal rent for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit far, but even so it may not be adequate distance. Pending Matters Matters remain unresolved. There are still documents in the custody of US Congress to be disclosed. Governmental Scrutiny: Could parliament request additional information Fiscal Review: Or scrutinize the improper use of public money Legal Possibility: There may even be a police investigation into his actions Perhaps for the present the reputational impact to the monarchy is contained. The narrative from the royal household was evidently that the removal of honorifics was what the sovereign, and notably other senior monarchical figures, desired. Altered Approach The cessation of deception that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, remarkably, the concise communication showed plainly that the royals were supporting the accuser's account of incidents. Additionally, for the premiere occasion they eventually showed concern for the victims: "The measures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the claims against him." In the end it is presumption, selfishness and indolence that will undermine the institution. In his stupidity, self-gratification and venality, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that truth.