Folly and Monarchical Hubris Ruined Andrew, and It Could Continue Yet

It all began with a single photograph, perhaps the most consequential ever snapped of a royal family member.

Present was the Duke of York, standing closely beside a female youth, while another individual smiled conspiratorially in the backdrop.

Lacking that snapshot, shot at a social event in 2001, few would have credited the claims of a teenager who stated she was moved across the Atlantic and compelled to have brief relations with a member of the royal bloodline?

An odd, revealing gesture by someone who had openly claimed to have never heard of her, said he could not have had intimate contact with her, and yet provided a substantial sum of monarchical funds to avert a long-delayed legal case.

Years of Disgrace

In this context, discussions of the monarchy acting firmly to distance themselves from Andrew are misguided. This controversy has continued for the majority of 15 years since that image, and another snapshot of Andrew walking congenially with a disgraced financier emerged.

• Arrogance: How long did his brothers and sisters, possibly even his relatives, realize that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Questionable Associations: They must have realized, if his aides and the authorities were performing their duties, that he had some highly questionable associates given he publicly welcomed them to palaces.
• Monetary Excess: If the family did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with taxpayer funds.

Trips were documented in royal annual reports: private aircraft travel from the royal residence to a sporting venue and back again in time for midday meal, chartered planes instead of regular transport, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

A Life of Privilege

Then there was the arrogance which required subservience when he appeared in a space or the profound consciousness about his honorifics used on his official documents in messages to his personal acquaintances.

He could get away with it while his matriarch, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still alive. The Queen did at least revoke him of official roles and ceremonial ranks in the wake of his disastrous and, it is now clear, mendacious public statement six years ago.

Latest Events

It was only in the last 14 days that events accelerated, following the issuance of biographical works giving more disturbing information of his behavior and that of his companions.

Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could get away with deceiving about his relationship with a convicted criminal.

People (and the press) were far in advance of the royals. There was not a single person of any significance to speak up for him, a consequence of all those years of presumption.

Institutional Fears

The more intelligent monarchical figures recognized that. The primary concern is to hand down the crown, if not as previously at least intact and unblemished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to undo the legacy of previous monarchs, showing they are valuable, dutiful and responsive to their citizens.

Andrew was putting all that in danger in an time when respect and discretion is no longer adequate.

Consequences

Eventually, the well-known indecisive monarch was pushed additional. There was little choice. The royal household had surrendered command of the account.

Now it is the removal of honorifics and the continued and life-long personal shame that will hurt Andrew most severely.

• Demotion: Reduced to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Historical Precedent: The primary royal to lose his titles in contemporary era
• Naval Career: Notably hurtful given his service in the conflict

He continues to be a royal advisor, on paper able to stand in for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the crown, but none of these will actually come to pass.

Future Prospects

Will people he comes across still acknowledge him? Might they still make mistakes and call him Your Highness? Would they say Sir,

Of course, he is not moving to a common area, but to the royal family's extensive property at a royal residence.

There, he will be furnished by the sovereign with one of the grace and favour houses and given some type of financial support.

It is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a nominal lease for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit far, but even so it may not be far enough.

Outstanding Concerns

This is not over. There are still records in the custody of US Congress to be revealed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Might lawmakers demand more
• Monetary Probe: Or scrutinize the misuse of state resources
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a criminal probe into his behavior

Perhaps for the moment the reputational impact to the institution is restricted. The message from the institution was clearly that the stripping of titles was what the monarch, and notably other senior family members, desired.

A Shift in Position

No more pretence that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, remarkably, the short communication showed plainly that the royals were supporting the accuser's version of incidents.

Additionally, for the initial instance they finally showed regard for the affected individuals: "The censures are judged required, regardless of the reality that he persists in refuting the claims against him."

In the end it is arrogance, selfishness and inactivity that will destroy the monarchy. In his folly, personal excess and venality, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that reality.