Foolishness and Monarchical Hubris Ruined Andrew, and It Might Persist Yet

The saga started with a isolated photograph, arguably the most significant ever taken of a member of the monarchy.

In the frame appeared the Earl of Inverness, arm-in-arm a young woman, while another individual grinned conspiratorially in the background.

Absent that photograph, taken at a party in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a adolescent who said she was trafficked across the Atlantic and forced to have perfunctory sexual encounters with a prince of the monarchy?

A strange, revealing gesture by someone who had overtly stated to have never heard of her, claimed he could no have had sex with her, and yet handed over a substantial sum of monarchical funds to settle a long-delayed court action.

Years of Disgrace

Against this backdrop, conversations of the monarchy acting decisively to cut Andrew off are wide of the mark. This affair has continued for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and a further image of Andrew strolling amiably with a convicted sex offender emerged.

• Self-importance: To what extent did his family members, possibly even his mother and father, realize that Andrew was so arrogant?
• Problematic Connections: They must have realized, if his employees and the authorities were doing their jobs, that he had some highly questionable associates given he openly welcomed them to estates.
• Financial Extravagance: If the monarchy did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his overspending with state resources.

Trips were documented in official documents: helicopter transfers from the estate to a sporting venue and back again in time for midday meal, private flights instead of commercial flights, all for the benefit of "Airmiles Andy".

World of Deference

Furthermore the presumption which required deference when he walked into a room or the profound consciousness about his honorifics used on his official documents in messages to his personal acquaintances.

He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who unaccountably spoiled him, was still surviving. The sovereign did at least strip him of public duties and military positions in the consequence of his ill-fated and, it is now clear, deceptive television interview six years ago.

Latest Events

Just in the last two weeks that events accelerated, following the issuance of accounts giving more troubling particulars of his behavior and that of his associates.

Additional revelations have again revealed Andrew's thinking that he could get away with being untruthful about his relationship with a notorious figure.

Society (and the press) were far more perceptive of the royals. There was no one of any importance to support him, a consequence of all those years of hubris.

Institutional Fears

The more astute monarchical figures recognized that. The key objective is to pass on the monarchy, if not as before at least complete and unstained.

For generations the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of earlier rulers, showing they are beneficial, responsible and attentive to their citizens.

He was placing all that in danger in an time when deference and secrecy is no longer adequate.

The Fallout

Finally, the notoriously indecisive monarch was prodded more. There was no alternative. The palace had lost control of the narrative.

Currently the loss of designations and the continued and life-long public humiliation that will hurt Andrew most severely.

• Demotion: Reduced to just a private citizen
• Past Example: The initial royal to forfeit his titles in modern times
• Armed Forces: Particularly hurtful given his service in the engagement

He is still a royal advisor, in principle able to substitute for the monarch, and he is still in the lineage to the throne, but none of these will truly occur.

Coming Developments

Will people he comes across still defer to him? Might they still slip up and call him Sir? Will they even say Sir,

Naturally, he is not withdrawing to a common area, but to the monarchy's extensive property at a royal residence.

In that place, he will be provided by the king with one of the grace and favour houses and given some sort of financial support.

It is not his former home, where he paid a minimal lease for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit far, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed.

Unresolved Issues

The situation continues. There are still documents in the hands of overseas authorities to be revealed.

• Political Pressure: Could legislators seek further action
• Monetary Probe: Or scrutinize the improper use of public money
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior

Perhaps for the moment the institutional damage to the crown is limited. The narrative from the palace was clearly that the revocation of titles was what the monarch, and particularly other senior royals, sought.

A Shift in Position

No more deception that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, remarkably, the brief communication showed plainly that the monarchy were supporting the complainant's account of occurrences.

Even more, for the first time they finally showed consideration for the survivors: "The measures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the truth that he maintains his innocence of the accusations against him."

Finally it is arrogance, self-seeking and indolence that will destroy the institution. In his stupidity, personal excess and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have learned that truth.