🔗 Share this article Folly and Royal Self-Entitlement Sunk Andrew, and It Could Continue Yet It all began with a isolated photograph, possibly the most consequential ever captured of a royal family member. In the frame appeared the Earl of Inverness, with his arm around a young woman, while a companion smiled knowingly in the background. Without that snapshot, shot at a social event in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the allegations of a young woman who stated she was trafficked across the ocean and obliged to have perfunctory intimate contact with a member of the royal family? A curious, revealing move by someone who had openly claimed to have not known about her, claimed he could not have had relations with her, and yet paid millions of his mother's money to settle a long-delayed court action. Years of Controversy Against this backdrop, discussions of the monarchy acting swiftly to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This controversy has endured for the majority of 15 years since that photograph, and a further photo of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a disgraced financier came to light. Arrogance: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his parents, realize that Andrew was so self-entitled? Questionable Associations: They must have realized, if his employees and the authorities were doing their jobs, that he had some extremely unsavory companions given he openly welcomed them to palaces. Monetary Excess: If the monarchy did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds. Journeys were listed in royal annual reports: private aircraft flights from the palace to a sporting venue and back again in time for lunch, exclusive air travel instead of scheduled services, all for the comfort of "Airmiles Andy". A Life of Privilege Then there was the arrogance which required deference when he entered a area or the extreme obsession about his designations used on his official documents in letters to his associates. He managed to escape consequences while his matriarch, who inexplicably indulged him, was still alive. The monarch did at least remove him of public duties and military positions in the wake of his catastrophic and, it is now clear, deceptive television interview six years ago. Latest Events Merely in the last 14 days that events sped up, following the issuance of biographical works giving more troubling particulars of his behavior and that of his associates. More information have again exposed Andrew's belief that he could avoid lying about his contact with a disgraced individual. Society (and the press) were far in advance of the monarchy. There was no one of any significance to defend him, a consequence of all those years of arrogance. Institutional Fears The more intelligent monarchical figures recognized that. The key objective is to pass on the institution, if not as before at least whole and untarnished. Over time the last 190 years trying to overcome the reputation of past sovereigns, proving they are valuable, responsible and attentive to their people. His actions endangered all that in peril in an time when respect and privacy is no longer sufficient. The Fallout Eventually, the famously indecisive monarch was prodded further. There was little choice. The palace had lost control of the narrative. Now it is the removal of designations and the continued and life-long social disgrace that will hurt Andrew the most. Demotion: Demoted to just a private citizen Historical Precedent: The first member to forfeit his titles in contemporary era Armed Forces: Particularly hurtful given his duty in the conflict He remains a royal advisor, theoretically able to stand in for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but none of these will actually happen. Future Prospects Can persons he meets still acknowledge him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Might they say Mr, Naturally, he is not retiring to a common area, but to the monarchy's vast estate at a royal residence. In that place, he will be provided by the sovereign with one of the estate properties and given some type of personal stipend. It is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a minimal lease for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit far, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed. Outstanding Concerns Matters remain unresolved. There are still files in the custody of overseas authorities to be disclosed. Governmental Scrutiny: Might parliament seek further action Financial Investigation: Or examine the misuse of state resources Criminal Investigation: There may even be a police investigation into his conduct Maybe for the moment the institutional damage to the crown is contained. The message from the royal household was clearly that the removal of designations was what the sovereign, and notably other senior family members, desired. Changed Stance An end to pretence that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, notably, the short announcement showed evidently that the monarchy were siding with the complainant's version of incidents. Even more, for the first time they finally showed regard for the victims: "These actions are considered essential, notwithstanding the reality that he maintains his innocence of the claims against him." In the end it is presumption, self-seeking and inactivity that will kill the monarchy. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and venality, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that lesson.