🔗 Share this article Stupidity and Regal Arrogance Sunk Andrew, and It May Not Be Over Yet It all began with a single photograph, perhaps the most significant ever taken of a member of the monarchy. In the frame appeared the Duke of York, arm-in-arm a young woman, while an associate grinned suggestively in the backdrop. Absent that image, shot at a gathering in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a young woman who said she was moved across the ocean and forced to have perfunctory relations with a individual of the royal family? An odd, indicative move by someone who had publicly asserted to have no known about her, said he could not have had sex with her, and yet handed over a substantial sum of his mother's resources to settle a protracted lawsuit. A Long Period of Scandal Against this backdrop, conversations of the royal family acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are wide of the mark. This affair has endured for the largest portion of 15 years since that picture, and another photo of Andrew strolling amiably with a disgraced financier came to light. Arrogance: How long did his brothers and sisters, possibly even his relatives, know that Andrew was so self-entitled? Dubious Friendships: They must have understood, if his aides and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable companions given he unabashedly welcomed them to palaces. Monetary Excess: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with public money. Trips were printed in official documents: helicopter travel from the palace to a golf course and back again in time for lunch, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "the travel enthusiast". World of Deference Furthermore the arrogance which demanded deference when he walked into a room or the profound obsession about his royal titles used on his letterheads in communication to his personal acquaintances. He could get away with it while his parent, who inexplicably indulged him, was still living. The Queen did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his ill-fated and, as revealed, mendacious television interview six years ago. Latest Events It was only in the last two weeks that events accelerated, following the release of books giving more disturbing particulars of his conduct and that of his connections. Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's assumption that he could escape being untruthful about his relationship with a disgraced individual. Society (and the journalists) were far ahead of the royal family. There was no one of any significance to defend him, a consequence of all those years of arrogance. Royal Worries The more intelligent monarchical figures understood that. The one imperative is to pass on the crown, if not as heretofore at least complete and untarnished. They have spent the last 190 years trying to undo the legacy of previous monarchs, proving they are useful, responsible and attentive to their subjects. He was placing all that in peril in an time when deference and secrecy is no longer enough. The Fallout Finally, the notoriously uncertain king was pressured additional. There was no other option. The royal household had relinquished authority of the narrative. Currently the stripping of designations and the persistent and permanent personal shame that will hurt Andrew the most. Demotion: Reduced to just a commoner Past Example: The primary monarch to forfeit his titles in contemporary era Armed Forces: Notably hurtful given his role in the Falklands war He remains a counsellor of state, in principle able to act for the sovereign, and he is still eighth in line to the monarchy, but not any of these will truly occur. Coming Developments Will people he comes across still defer to him? Will they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Would they say Mr, Certainly, he is not retiring to suburbia, but to the monarchy's vast estate at a monarchical property. In that place, he will be furnished by the monarch with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of personal stipend. It is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a nominal lease for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit far, but even so it may not be far enough. Pending Matters Matters remain unresolved. There are still records in the custody of American legislators to be made public. Parliamentary Interest: Will legislators request additional information Financial Investigation: Or examine the improper use of public money Legal Possibility: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior Possibly for the time being the institutional damage to the institution is contained. The narrative from the royal household was plainly that the removal of titles was what the sovereign, and notably other senior royals, wanted. Altered Approach An end to deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, notably, the concise communication showed plainly that the institution were aligning with the victim's narrative of incidents. Additionally, for the initial instance they ultimately showed concern for the affected individuals: "The censures are considered essential, despite the truth that he persists in refuting the claims against him." In the end it is arrogance, self-interest and indolence that will destroy the institution. In his folly, self-indulgence and venality, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that reality.