Stupidity and Monarchical Hubris Damaged Andrew, and It Could Continue Yet

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

In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a female youth, while an associate grinned suggestively in the rear.

Absent that image, shot at a social event in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a young woman who said she was transported across the ocean and compelled to have perfunctory intimate contact with a individual of the monarchy?

A curious, telling gesture by someone who had overtly asserted to have no been aware of her, claimed he could no have had intimate contact with her, and yet provided millions of his mother's resources to avert a long-delayed lawsuit.

Years of Disgrace

In this context, conversations of the royals acting swiftly to cut Andrew off are inaccurate. This scandal has endured for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and a further image of Andrew ambling amiably with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Hubris: How long did his brothers and sisters, maybe even his parents, know that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have understood, if his employees and the police were performing their duties, that he had some highly questionable companions given he unabashedly invited them to royal residences.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the monarchy did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his overspending with state resources.

Journeys were listed in royal annual reports: helicopter transfers from the royal residence to a golf course and back again in time for lunch, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the convenience of "the travel enthusiast".

World of Deference

Then there was the presumption which demanded subservience when he walked into a area or the supreme awareness about his designations used on his correspondence in letters to his associates.

He avoided accountability while his mother, who unaccountably indulged him, was still surviving. The Queen did at least revoke him of official roles and honorary colonelcies in the aftermath of his ill-fated and, as revealed, untruthful public statement six years ago.

Recent Developments

Just in the last two weeks that events accelerated, following the issuance of books giving more disturbing information of his behavior and that of his associates.

More information have again exposed Andrew's assumption that he could get away with being untruthful about his interaction with a convicted criminal.

The public (and the journalists) were far in advance of the monarchy. There was not a single person of any importance to speak up for him, a consequence of all those years of arrogance.

Institutional Fears

The more intelligent royals recognized that. The key objective is to hand down the monarchy, if not as heretofore at least whole and unblemished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of previous monarchs, proving they are beneficial, dutiful and reactive to their citizens.

His actions endangered all that in peril in an age when submission and secrecy is no longer sufficient.

Aftermath

Eventually, the famously uncertain king was pushed further. There was no other option. The institution had relinquished authority of the story.

Presently the removal of designations and the continued and permanent social disgrace that will afflict Andrew most severely.

• Downgrading: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Past Example: The initial member to lose his titles in recent history
• Naval Career: Particularly stinging given his duty in the engagement

He is still a royal advisor, in principle able to stand in for the sovereign, and he is still eighth in line to the monarchy, but neither of these will ever occur.

Coming Developments

Can persons he encounters still defer to him? Will they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Would they say Sir,

Of course, he is not withdrawing to suburbia, but to the royal family's vast property at Sandringham.

At that location, he will be furnished by the sovereign with one of the royal residences and given some sort of personal stipend.

It is not his previous residence, where he paid a minimal rent for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit far, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Pending Matters

This is not over. There are still documents in the custody of American legislators to be made public.

• Political Pressure: Will lawmakers demand more
• Fiscal Review: Or examine the misuse of state resources
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a police investigation into his behavior

Perhaps for the present the harm to the monarchy to the crown is contained. The narrative from the palace was plainly that the stripping of designations was what the sovereign, and particularly other senior monarchical figures, wanted.

Altered Approach

No more pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, remarkably, the short announcement showed plainly that the royals were siding with the complainant's version of events.

Furthermore, for the premiere occasion they finally showed concern for the affected individuals: "The measures are considered essential, despite the reality that he continues to deny the claims against him."

Finally it is arrogance, self-interest and inactivity that will undermine the crown. In his folly, self-indulgence and corruption, Andrew gives the impression never to have learned that lesson.