đź”— Share this article Foolishness and Regal Arrogance Sunk Andrew, and It May Not Be Over Yet This episode commenced with a solitary photograph, perhaps the most consequential ever captured of a royal family member. There stood the Earl of Inverness, standing closely beside a female youth, while an associate beamed suggestively in the rear. Lacking that snapshot, captured at a gathering in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a adolescent who declared she was transported across the sea and compelled to have brief intimate contact with a member of the royal bloodline? An odd, telling gesture by someone who had openly stated to have not heard of her, said he could not have had sex with her, and yet provided a substantial sum of family funds to resolve a long-delayed legal case. A Long Period of Disgrace Considering this, talk of the royal family acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are misguided. This affair has continued for the better part of 15 years since that picture, and an additional photo of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a convicted sex offender surfaced. Hubris: For what duration did his siblings, perhaps even his relatives, know that Andrew was so presumptuous? Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his employees and the authorities were doing their jobs, that he had some highly questionable friends given he unabashedly invited them to palaces. Monetary Excess: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with state resources. Trips were printed in royal annual reports: private aircraft transfers from the royal residence to a golf course and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of commercial flights, all for the comfort of "the frequent flyer". World of Deference Then there was the arrogance which required subservience when he walked into a space or the profound obsession about his honorifics used on his official documents in letters to his personal acquaintances. He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who unaccountably indulged him, was still living. The monarch did at least strip him of official roles and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his disastrous and, as revealed, untruthful media appearance six years ago. Recent Developments Just in the last fortnight that events progressed rapidly, following the release of biographical works giving more troubling information of his behavior and that of his connections. Additional revelations have again highlighted Andrew's belief that he could avoid being untruthful about his relationship with a convicted criminal. Society (and the media) were far more perceptive of the royal family. There was no one of any consequence to defend him, a result of all those years of hubris. Institutional Fears The wiser family members recognized that. The one imperative is to hand down the crown, if not as heretofore at least whole and unstained. Over time the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of earlier rulers, demonstrating they are useful, dutiful and responsive to their subjects. His actions endangered all that in danger in an age when respect and secrecy is no longer enough. Consequences Finally, the famously uncertain sovereign was pressured more. There was little choice. The royal household had lost control of the narrative. Currently the loss of honorifics and the continued and lifetime personal shame that will afflict Andrew the most. Reduction: Reduced to just a private citizen Past Example: The initial monarch to lose his designations in contemporary era Naval Career: Especially stinging given his role in the conflict He continues to be a royal advisor, 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 come to pass. Future Prospects Do individuals he meets still defer to him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Your Highness? Would they say Andrew, Of course, he is not retiring to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's vast property at a monarchical property. At that location, he will be supplied by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some sort of financial support. This is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a nominal rent for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit remote, but even so it may not be far enough. Outstanding Concerns Matters remain unresolved. There are still files in the hands of overseas authorities to be disclosed. Parliamentary Interest: Might parliament demand more Fiscal Review: Or scrutinize the misuse of taxpayer funds Criminal Investigation: There may even be a police investigation into his conduct Maybe for the moment the institutional damage to the crown is restricted. The statement from the institution was plainly that the stripping of titles was what the monarch, and particularly other senior family members, desired. Altered Approach An end to deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, notably, the brief communication showed clearly that the institution were supporting the victim's version of incidents. Furthermore, for the premiere occasion they eventually showed regard for the affected individuals: "The measures are judged required, notwithstanding the fact that he persists in refuting the accusations against him." In the end it is entitlement, self-interest and laziness that will kill the crown. In his stupidity, self-indulgence and corruption, Andrew appears never to have grasped that truth.