Folly and Regal Arrogance Sunk Andrew, and It May Not Be Over Yet

This episode commenced with a single photograph, arguably the most significant ever snapped of a individual from the royal household.

Present was the Earl of Inverness, standing closely beside a young woman, while a companion grinned suggestively in the rear.

Without that image, shot at a social event in 2001, who would have believed the allegations of a teenager who said she was transported across the Atlantic and compelled to have perfunctory relations with a prince of the royal family?

A curious, revealing move by someone who had openly claimed to have not known about her, said he could never have had sex with her, and yet provided millions of his mother's funds to settle a long-delayed court action.

Over a Decade of Scandal

Considering this, talk of the monarchy acting decisively to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This controversy has continued for the majority of 15 years since that picture, and an additional snapshot of Andrew strolling amiably with a convicted sex offender emerged.

• Arrogance: To what extent did his family members, perhaps even his relatives, realize that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Questionable Associations: They must have realized, if his employees and the law enforcement were fulfilling their roles, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he openly invited them to palaces.
• Monetary Excess: If the household did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his overspending with public money.

Trips were printed in royal annual reports: chopper flights from the palace to a golf course and back again in time for dining, exclusive air travel instead of regular transport, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

Existence of Entitlement

Additionally the entitlement which expected deference when he walked into a space or the profound obsession about his royal titles used on his letterheads in messages to his associates.

He could get away with it while his matriarch, who strangely pampered him, was still surviving. The sovereign did at least strip him of public duties and ceremonial ranks in the aftermath of his disastrous and, as revealed, untruthful media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last 14 days that events accelerated, following the release of books giving more troubling particulars of his conduct and that of his associates.

More information have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could get away with lying about his relationship with a notorious figure.

Society (and the journalists) were far in advance of the royals. There was no one of any significance to speak up for him, a outcome of all those years of presumption.

Institutional Fears

The more intelligent monarchical figures understood that. The one imperative is to transfer the institution, if not as before at least whole and untarnished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the legacy of earlier rulers, proving they are useful, responsible and attentive to their people.

He was placing all that in jeopardy in an time when respect and discretion is no longer sufficient.

Aftermath

Ultimately, the well-known hesitant sovereign was pushed additional. There was no alternative. The institution had surrendered command of the narrative.

Presently the loss of designations and the continued and lifetime personal shame that will pain Andrew most deeply.

• Downgrading: Demoted to just a commoner
• Past Example: The primary member to forfeit his titles in contemporary era
• Armed Forces: Especially painful given his duty in the conflict

He remains a constitutional officer, on paper able to stand in for the monarch, and he is still in the succession to the monarchy, but not any of these will truly happen.

Future Prospects

Will people he comes across still acknowledge him? Might they still make mistakes and call him Sir? Will they even say Sir,

Naturally, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the monarchy's vast grounds at Sandringham.

At that location, he will be provided by the king with one of the royal residences and given some sort of private allowance.

This differs from his prior accommodation, where he paid a minimal rent for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit distant, but even so it may not be far enough.

Unresolved Issues

This is not over. There are still records in the hands of US Congress to be disclosed.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Could legislators seek further action
• Financial Investigation: Or scrutinize the misuse of public money
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior

Maybe for the present the institutional damage to the crown is contained. The message from the palace was evidently that the removal of titles was what the king, and especially other senior royals, sought.

Changed Stance

No more pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the concise announcement showed evidently that the royals were siding with the accuser's account of incidents.

Additionally, for the premiere occasion they ultimately showed regard for the survivors: "The measures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the reality that he continues to deny the claims against him."

Finally it is arrogance, self-interest and inactivity that will kill the crown. In his folly, self-gratification and greed, Andrew seems never to have grasped that truth.