🔗 Share this article Stupidity and Regal Arrogance Damaged Andrew, and It Could Continue Yet This episode commenced with a isolated photograph, perhaps the most consequential ever taken of a member of the monarchy. In the frame appeared the Earl of Inverness, standing closely beside a female youth, while another individual beamed conspiratorially in the rear. Lacking that snapshot, captured at a gathering in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the assertions of a adolescent who stated she was moved across the ocean and compelled to have cursory sexual encounters with a prince of the monarchy? A strange, revealing gesture by someone who had overtly asserted to have not been aware of her, claimed he could not have had sex with her, and yet provided a large amount of his mother's resources to resolve a protracted lawsuit. Years of Scandal Considering this, talk of the monarchy acting firmly to distance themselves from Andrew are inaccurate. This affair has continued for the largest portion of 15 years since that photograph, and an additional snapshot of Andrew walking pleasantly with a notorious individual surfaced. Self-importance: To what extent did his siblings, possibly even his relatives, understand that Andrew was so self-entitled? Problematic Connections: They must have understood, if his aides and the law enforcement were fulfilling their roles, that he had some deeply disreputable friends given he publicly hosted them to estates. Monetary Excess: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with public money. Travel were printed in royal annual reports: private aircraft travel from the palace to a country club and back again in time for lunch, exclusive air travel instead of scheduled services, all for the comfort of "the frequent flyer". A Life of Privilege Additionally the arrogance which demanded respect when he walked into a room or the extreme awareness about his designations used on his correspondence in communication to his personal acquaintances. He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who strangely spoiled him, was still living. The Queen did at least strip him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the aftermath of his ill-fated and, it is now clear, mendacious media appearance six years ago. Recent Developments Just in the last fortnight that events sped up, following the publication of books giving more disturbing particulars of his actions and that of his associates. Additional revelations have again exposed Andrew's belief that he could escape lying about his interaction with a disgraced individual. People (and the journalists) were far ahead of the monarchy. There was no one of any consequence to defend him, a result of all those years of presumption. Institutional Fears The more astute monarchical figures realized that. The key objective is to hand down the monarchy, if not as heretofore at least intact and unblemished. For generations the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of past sovereigns, demonstrating they are beneficial, accountable and attentive to their people. He was placing all that in jeopardy in an era when submission and secrecy is no longer sufficient. Aftermath Finally, the notoriously uncertain sovereign was pressured more. There was no alternative. The palace had lost control of the narrative. Presently the removal of titles and the ongoing and life-long personal shame that will hurt Andrew the most. Reduction: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor Historical Precedent: The first member to surrender his titles in contemporary era Naval Career: Notably painful given his service in the Falklands war He continues to be a royal advisor, theoretically able to stand in for the monarch, and he is still in the succession to the monarchy, but neither of these will ever occur. Future Prospects Will people he encounters still show respect to him? Will they still make mistakes and call him Your Highness? Would they say Sir, Naturally, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's vast estate at Sandringham. There, he will be supplied by the monarch with one of the royal residences and given some form of financial support. It is not his previous residence, where he paid a token payment for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit remote, but even so it may not be far enough. Pending Matters Matters remain unresolved. There are still files in the custody of American legislators to be disclosed. Governmental Scrutiny: Might legislators seek further action Monetary Probe: Or scrutinize the waste of taxpayer funds Legal Possibility: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his actions Possibly for the moment the reputational impact to the crown is limited. The statement from the palace was plainly that the removal of designations was what the monarch, and especially other senior family members, desired. A Shift in Position The cessation of pretence that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, significantly, the brief statement showed plainly that the monarchy were siding with the victim's account of events. Furthermore, for the first time they eventually showed consideration for the affected individuals: "These actions are considered essential, notwithstanding the truth that he maintains his innocence of the accusations against him." In the end it is entitlement, self-interest and inactivity that will kill the institution. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and corruption, Andrew appears never to have grasped that truth.