🔗 Share this article Stupidity and Royal Self-Entitlement Ruined Andrew, and It Might Persist Yet The saga started with a isolated photograph, arguably the most consequential ever taken of a member of the monarchy. There stood the Baron Killyleagh, arm-in-arm a young woman, while another individual beamed suggestively in the rear. Lacking that image, captured at a party in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a adolescent who declared she was moved across the Atlantic and forced to have perfunctory sexual encounters with a individual of the royal family? An odd, indicative move by someone who had publicly stated to have no known about her, said he could never have had intimate contact with her, and yet paid a large amount of his mother's money to resolve a long-delayed legal case. A Long Period of Controversy In this context, talk of the royals acting firmly to cut Andrew off are wide of the mark. This controversy has continued for the majority of 15 years since that picture, and a further photo of Andrew walking congenially with a notorious individual surfaced. Self-importance: To what extent did his siblings, perhaps even his relatives, realize that Andrew was so self-entitled? 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 publicly welcomed them to palaces. Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the monarchy did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds. Travel were documented in official documents: chopper transfers from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, chartered planes instead of regular transport, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer". Existence of Entitlement Additionally the presumption which expected deference when he walked into a area or the extreme obsession about his honorifics used on his correspondence in messages to his personal acquaintances. He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who inexplicably spoiled him, was still alive. The sovereign did at least strip him of official roles and military positions in the aftermath of his ill-fated and, we now know, mendacious television interview six years ago. Latest Events Merely in the last fortnight that events progressed rapidly, following the issuance of accounts giving more troubling information of his actions and that of his associates. Additional revelations have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could avoid deceiving about his interaction with a disgraced individual. Society (and the media) were far more perceptive of the monarchy. There was not a single person of any importance to defend him, a outcome of all those years of hubris. Institutional Fears The more astute royals understood that. The primary concern is to hand down the monarchy, if not as previously at least intact and unstained. They have spent the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of previous monarchs, showing they are beneficial, accountable and responsive to their people. He was placing all that in jeopardy in an era when deference and secrecy is no longer adequate. The Fallout Ultimately, the famously indecisive king was pressured more. There was little choice. The royal household had lost control of the account. Presently the loss of titles and the ongoing and lifetime social disgrace that will afflict Andrew most deeply. Downgrading: Reduced to just a private citizen Past Example: The initial monarch to surrender his titles in contemporary era Armed Forces: Notably hurtful given his role in the Falklands war He is still a constitutional officer, on paper able to substitute for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the crown, but neither of these will ever occur. Coming Developments Will people he encounters still acknowledge him? Will they still make mistakes and call him Sir? Will they even say Sir, Of course, he is not retiring to an ordinary town, but to the monarchy's vast estate at a royal residence. 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. This differs from his former home, where he paid a minimal lease for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit distant, but even so it may not be far enough. Pending Matters The situation continues. There are still records in the possession of overseas authorities to be made public. Governmental Scrutiny: Could parliament demand more Financial Investigation: Or investigate the improper use of taxpayer funds Criminal Investigation: There may even be a criminal probe into his actions Maybe for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the monarchy is contained. The narrative from the royal household was clearly that the revocation of honorifics was what the king, and notably other senior royals, desired. Changed Stance No more illusion that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the brief communication showed evidently that the royals were supporting the victim's version of events. Furthermore, for the premiere occasion they eventually showed regard for the survivors: "The measures are considered essential, regardless of the truth that he continues to deny the accusations against him." In the end it is entitlement, self-interest and indolence that will kill the crown. In his stupidity, self-indulgence and venality, Andrew gives the impression never to have learned that lesson.