Stupidity and Royal Self-Entitlement Sunk Andrew, and It May Not Be Over Yet

It all began with a isolated photograph, arguably the most consequential ever snapped of a member of the monarchy.

In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a teenage girl, while an associate smiled conspiratorially in the rear.

Lacking that snapshot, taken at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the allegations of a adolescent who stated she was moved across the Atlantic and forced to have cursory relations with a individual of the royal family?

A strange, telling move by someone who had publicly asserted to have never been aware of her, said he could never have had relations with her, and yet handed over a substantial sum of monarchical funds to settle a drawn-out lawsuit.

Over a Decade of Controversy

In this context, discussions of the royal family acting decisively to sever ties with Andrew are inaccurate. This scandal has persisted for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and a further snapshot of Andrew strolling amiably with a notorious individual emerged.

• Hubris: To what extent did his siblings, perhaps even his mother and father, know that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his employees and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable companions given he publicly invited them to royal residences.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his overspending with taxpayer funds.

Travel were printed in official documents: helicopter transfers from the palace to a sporting venue and back again in time for lunch, chartered planes instead of regular transport, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

A Life of Privilege

Additionally the arrogance which expected deference when he walked into a room or the extreme awareness about his designations used on his letterheads in communication to his friends.

He avoided accountability while his parent, who inexplicably pampered him, was still living. The sovereign did at least remove him of public duties and military positions in the wake of his disastrous and, we now know, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last fortnight that events sped up, following the issuance of accounts giving more grim particulars of his conduct and that of his connections.

More information have again exposed Andrew's thinking that he could avoid being untruthful about his relationship with a convicted criminal.

People (and the journalists) were far more perceptive of the royal family. There was nobody of any importance to defend him, a outcome of all those years of arrogance.

Institutional Fears

The more astute royals realized that. The one imperative is to pass on the institution, if not as heretofore at least complete and untarnished.

They have spent the last 190 years trying to reverse the image of past sovereigns, showing they are valuable, accountable and responsive to their subjects.

His actions endangered all that in peril in an time when respect and discretion is no longer adequate.

The Fallout

Eventually, the famously hesitant king was pressured further. There was no other option. The royal household had relinquished authority of the account.

Now it is the stripping of titles and the persistent and permanent personal shame that will afflict Andrew the most.

• Demotion: Lowered to just a commoner
• Historical Precedent: The initial monarch to surrender his designations in recent history
• Armed Forces: Especially stinging given his duty in the Falklands war

He remains a counsellor of state, theoretically able to stand in for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but neither of these will actually come to pass.

What Lies Ahead

Do individuals he meets still show respect to him? Will they still make mistakes and call him Your Highness? Would they say Sir,

Naturally, he is not retiring to a common area, but to the royal family's large property at a royal residence.

At that location, he will be supplied by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some form of financial support.

It is not 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 sufficiently removed.

Outstanding Concerns

Matters remain unresolved. There are still files in the possession of US Congress to be revealed.

• Political Pressure: Might lawmakers demand more
• Financial Investigation: Or examine the waste of public money
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his conduct

Perhaps for the present the institutional damage to the institution is contained. The narrative from the institution was evidently that the removal of designations was what the monarch, and especially other senior monarchical figures, wanted.

Altered Approach

No more pretence that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, notably, the brief communication showed plainly that the monarchy were siding with the victim's account of occurrences.

Even more, for the first time they eventually showed concern for the affected individuals: "The measures are judged required, notwithstanding the truth that he maintains his innocence of the accusations against him."

Ultimately it is entitlement, self-interest and inactivity that will kill the crown. In his foolishness, self-gratification and corruption, Andrew seems never to have understood that lesson.