🔗 Share this article Stupidity and Royal Self-Entitlement Ruined Andrew, and It Could Continue Yet The saga started with a single photograph, possibly the most consequential ever snapped of a royal family member. Present was the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a young woman, while another individual grinned suggestively in the backdrop. Absent that photograph, taken at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the allegations of a teenager who stated she was moved across the Atlantic and forced to have cursory sexual encounters with a individual of the royal family? A curious, telling move by someone who had overtly claimed to have no heard of her, said he could no have had relations with her, and yet handed over a large amount of monarchical resources to settle a drawn-out lawsuit. A Long Period of Disgrace Against this backdrop, talk of the monarchy acting decisively to cut Andrew off are inaccurate. This scandal has continued for the majority of 15 years since that photograph, and a further snapshot of Andrew walking pleasantly with a notorious individual emerged. Hubris: How long did his siblings, perhaps even his relatives, understand that Andrew was so self-entitled? Questionable Associations: They must have realized, if his employees and the police were fulfilling their roles, that he had some extremely unsavory associates given he unabashedly hosted them to estates. Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds. Journeys were printed in official documents: helicopter transfers from the palace to a country club and back again in time for dining, chartered planes instead of commercial flights, all for the comfort of "the travel enthusiast". Existence of Entitlement Then there was the presumption which expected respect when he appeared in a area or the profound awareness about his royal titles used on his official documents in letters to his friends. He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still living. The sovereign did at least strip him of royal responsibilities and honorary colonelcies in the aftermath of his disastrous and, we now know, untruthful media appearance six years ago. Current Situation Just in the last two weeks that events progressed rapidly, following the release of biographical works giving more grim particulars of his actions and that of his associates. Additional revelations have again highlighted Andrew's thinking that he could escape lying about his contact with a disgraced individual. Society (and the media) were far in advance of the royals. There was nobody of any consequence to speak up for him, a consequence of all those years of arrogance. Monarchical Concerns The more astute royals recognized that. The key objective is to pass on the crown, if not as before at least intact and unstained. For generations the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of previous monarchs, showing they are beneficial, accountable and attentive to their citizens. Andrew was putting all that in peril in an era when deference and secrecy is no longer sufficient. Aftermath Ultimately, the notoriously indecisive king was pushed further. There was no alternative. The palace had relinquished authority of the account. Presently the stripping of honorifics and the continued and lifetime personal shame that will pain Andrew most deeply. Downgrading: Reduced to just a commoner Historical Precedent: The initial monarch to surrender his designations in recent history Naval Career: Especially painful given his duty in the conflict He remains a royal advisor, on paper able to substitute for the king, and he is still in the lineage to the throne, but none of these will truly happen. What Lies Ahead Do individuals he comes across still show respect to him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Might they say Andrew, Certainly, he is not withdrawing to suburbia, but to the sovereign's extensive grounds at a royal residence. At that location, he will be provided by the monarch with one of the royal residences 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 the area is a bit distant, but even so it may not be adequate distance. Pending Matters Matters remain unresolved. There are still documents in the hands of overseas authorities to be disclosed. Political Pressure: Will lawmakers seek further action Monetary Probe: Or examine the misuse of public money Legal Possibility: There may even be a criminal probe into his behavior Maybe for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the monarchy is limited. The narrative from the institution was clearly that the stripping of designations was what the sovereign, and particularly other senior family members, desired. Altered Approach An end to deception that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, significantly, the brief communication showed clearly that the monarchy were supporting the accuser's narrative of events. Additionally, for the first time they finally showed consideration for the survivors: "The censures are deemed necessary, despite the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him." Ultimately it is entitlement, self-seeking and indolence that will kill the monarchy. In his foolishness, personal excess and corruption, Andrew appears never to have grasped that truth.