Foolishness and Regal Arrogance Ruined Andrew, and It Could Continue Yet

It all began with a solitary photograph, perhaps the most significant ever snapped of a royal family member.

In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, arm-in-arm a teenage girl, while a companion smiled conspiratorially in the rear.

Absent that photograph, taken at a social event in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the allegations of a young woman who said she was transported across the ocean and forced to have cursory sexual encounters with a prince of the royal bloodline?

A curious, indicative move by someone who had openly stated to have no heard of her, asserted he could no have had relations with her, and yet paid a large amount of monarchical funds to settle a long-delayed lawsuit.

Years of Controversy

Considering this, conversations of the royal family acting swiftly to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This affair has continued for the better part of 15 years since that picture, and a further image of Andrew walking amiably with a notorious individual emerged.

• Hubris: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his mother and father, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his employees and the police were performing their duties, that he had some highly questionable friends given he publicly invited them to royal residences.
• Monetary Excess: If the household did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with public money.

Trips were printed in official documents: helicopter flights from the estate to a golf course and back again in time for lunch, exclusive air travel instead of scheduled services, all for the convenience of "the frequent flyer".

Existence of Entitlement

Additionally the presumption which expected deference when he entered a space or the profound consciousness about his designations used on his correspondence in messages to his associates.

He could get away with it while his parent, who inexplicably indulged him, was still surviving. The sovereign did at least remove him of official roles and ceremonial ranks in the wake of his catastrophic and, it is now clear, untruthful television interview six years ago.

Latest Events

It was only in the last 14 days that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of books giving more disturbing particulars of his actions and that of his associates.

More information have again revealed Andrew's assumption that he could avoid lying about his contact with a disgraced individual.

The public (and the media) were far in advance of the royal family. There was nobody of any importance to defend him, a consequence of all those years of presumption.

Monarchical Concerns

The more intelligent family members recognized that. The one imperative is to hand down the monarchy, if not as previously at least complete and unstained.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of previous monarchs, demonstrating they are valuable, accountable and reactive to their citizens.

Andrew was putting all that in peril in an era when respect and secrecy is no longer adequate.

Aftermath

Finally, the famously uncertain king was prodded further. There was no other option. The institution had lost control of the narrative.

Now it is the removal of titles and the ongoing and lifetime public humiliation that will pain Andrew most severely.

• Downgrading: Lowered to just a private citizen
• Prior Instance: The initial member to forfeit his titles in recent history
• Military Service: Notably hurtful given his duty in the Falklands war

He remains a constitutional officer, theoretically able to substitute for the sovereign, and he is still eighth in line to the monarchy, but neither of these will truly happen.

What Lies Ahead

Will people he comes across still acknowledge him? Might they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Might they say Andrew,

Of course, he is not withdrawing to suburbia, but to the monarchy's extensive grounds at Sandringham.

There, he will be furnished by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of financial support.

It is not his previous residence, where he paid a token payment for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit far, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Pending Matters

This is not over. There are still files in the hands of American legislators to be revealed.

• Political Pressure: Will legislators seek further action
• Fiscal Review: Or scrutinize the improper use of taxpayer funds
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a police investigation into his actions

Perhaps for the moment the reputational impact to the crown is restricted. The statement from the royal household was clearly that the removal of designations was what the king, and especially other senior royals, desired.

Changed Stance

The cessation of deception that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, remarkably, the short statement showed clearly that the institution were aligning with the victim's account of events.

Furthermore, for the initial instance they finally showed concern for the survivors: "These actions are considered essential, notwithstanding the fact that he persists in refuting the claims against him."

In the end it is entitlement, self-seeking and inactivity that will kill the institution. In his foolishness, self-gratification and corruption, Andrew gives the impression never to have learned that reality.