🔗 Share this article Folly and Regal Arrogance Ruined Andrew, and It Might Persist Yet It all began with a isolated photograph, possibly the most significant ever snapped of a royal family member. There stood the Duke of York, with his arm around a female youth, while an associate smiled knowingly in the backdrop. Absent that photograph, captured at a social event in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the assertions of a young woman who stated she was moved across the Atlantic and obliged to have cursory relations with a individual of the monarchy? An odd, telling gesture by someone who had publicly claimed to have no been aware of her, said he could no have had intimate contact with her, and yet provided millions of family resources to settle a drawn-out legal case. A Long Period of Controversy Against this backdrop, discussions of the monarchy acting decisively to sever ties with Andrew are misguided. This scandal has endured for the majority of 15 years since that picture, and an additional image of Andrew walking congenially with a convicted sex offender surfaced. Self-importance: For what duration did his brothers and sisters, possibly even his parents, understand that Andrew was so arrogant? Questionable Associations: They must have realized, if his aides and the police were doing their jobs, that he had some extremely unsavory associates given he publicly hosted them to royal residences. Financial Extravagance: If the family did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his overspending with state resources. Travel were listed in royal annual reports: chopper travel from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, chartered planes instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "Airmiles Andy". A Life of Privilege Then there was the entitlement which expected deference when he entered a room or the supreme consciousness about his designations used on his official documents in messages to his associates. He managed to escape consequences while his mother, who strangely spoiled him, was still surviving. The sovereign did at least remove him of official roles and ceremonial ranks in the wake of his disastrous and, as revealed, untruthful public statement six years ago. Recent Developments It was only in the last 14 days that events sped up, following the release of accounts giving more disturbing information of his behavior and that of his associates. Additional revelations have again revealed Andrew's thinking that he could escape deceiving about his interaction with a notorious figure. The public (and the journalists) were far ahead of the monarchy. There was no one of any significance to support him, a consequence of all those years of arrogance. Institutional Fears The wiser monarchical figures recognized that. The one imperative is to hand down the monarchy, if not as heretofore at least intact and untarnished. Over time the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of past sovereigns, showing they are valuable, dutiful and attentive to their citizens. He was placing all that in danger in an era when deference and privacy is no longer adequate. The Fallout Ultimately, the well-known hesitant king was prodded additional. There was little choice. The palace had surrendered command of the account. Currently the loss of designations and the persistent and life-long social disgrace that will afflict Andrew most deeply. Demotion: Demoted to just a commoner Prior Instance: The first royal to lose his titles in contemporary era Military Service: Especially hurtful given his service in the engagement He remains a royal advisor, theoretically able to stand in for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the throne, but neither of these will actually occur. Coming Developments Can persons he meets still acknowledge him? Could they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Might they say Sir, Of course, he is not moving to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's vast property at a royal residence. There, he will be furnished by the sovereign with one of the estate properties and given some form of financial support. This is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a minimal payment for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit far, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed. Unresolved Issues This is not over. There are still documents in the possession of overseas authorities to be disclosed. Governmental Scrutiny: Could parliament request additional information 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 time being the reputational impact to the institution is restricted. The message from the institution was clearly that the stripping of designations was what the monarch, and particularly other senior monarchical figures, desired. Altered Approach The cessation of illusion that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, remarkably, the short communication showed clearly that the institution were siding with the complainant's version of incidents. Even more, for the initial instance they ultimately showed regard for the affected individuals: "The censures are judged required, regardless of the fact that he persists in refuting the accusations against him." Finally it is arrogance, self-interest and laziness that will destroy the crown. In his foolishness, self-gratification and venality, Andrew gives the impression never to have learned that lesson.