đź”— Share this article Foolishness and Regal Arrogance Sunk Andrew, and It May Not Be Over Yet It all began with a solitary photograph, possibly the most impactful ever snapped of a individual from the royal household. There stood the Baron Killyleagh, arm-in-arm a female youth, while an associate beamed suggestively in the background. Lacking that photograph, taken at a social event in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a teenager who said she was trafficked across the sea and compelled to have perfunctory sexual encounters with a member of the royal bloodline? A curious, indicative action by someone who had publicly stated to have never been aware of her, said he could never have had intimate contact with her, and yet provided a large amount of his mother's money to avert a long-delayed legal case. Over a Decade of Disgrace In this context, conversations of the monarchy acting decisively to distance themselves from Andrew are inaccurate. This scandal has persisted for the largest portion of 15 years since that picture, and an additional snapshot of Andrew strolling congenially with a notorious individual emerged. Arrogance: To what extent did his siblings, possibly even his parents, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous? Problematic Connections: They must have realized, if his staff and the law enforcement were fulfilling their roles, that he had some highly questionable companions given he publicly welcomed them to estates. Monetary Excess: If the monarchy did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with taxpayer funds. Travel were printed in official documents: chopper transfers from the royal residence to a country club and back again in time for dining, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the comfort of "the travel enthusiast". Existence of Entitlement Then there was the presumption which required subservience when he walked into a space or the extreme consciousness about his royal titles used on his correspondence in communication to his personal acquaintances. He could get away with it while his parent, who strangely indulged him, was still living. The monarch did at least strip him of official roles and ceremonial ranks in the aftermath of his ill-fated and, as revealed, mendacious public statement six years ago. Recent Developments Just in the last two weeks that events sped up, following the release of books giving more disturbing particulars of his conduct and that of his companions. Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's thinking that he could avoid being untruthful about his contact with a convicted criminal. People (and the journalists) were far more perceptive of the monarchy. There was no one of any significance to speak up for him, a result of all those years of arrogance. Royal Worries The more astute family members realized that. The primary concern is to hand down the institution, if not as heretofore at least intact and unstained. Over time the last 190 years trying to overcome the image of past sovereigns, proving they are useful, accountable and reactive to their people. His actions endangered all that in jeopardy in an era when respect and secrecy is no longer sufficient. Consequences Finally, the famously uncertain king was prodded further. There was no other option. The palace had lost control of the story. Now it is the removal of honorifics and the continued and life-long public humiliation that will hurt Andrew the most. Reduction: Reduced to just a private citizen Past Example: The primary member to lose his honorifics in contemporary era Military Service: Notably stinging given his duty in the conflict He continues to be a constitutional officer, theoretically able to substitute for the monarch, and he is still in the lineage to the monarchy, but none of these will actually happen. What Lies Ahead Will people he comes across still acknowledge him? Will they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Would they say Mr, Certainly, he is not retiring to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's large estate at Sandringham. There, he will be furnished by the monarch with one of the estate properties and given some sort of private allowance. It is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a minimal payment for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit remote, but even so it may not be sufficiently removed. Outstanding Concerns Matters remain unresolved. There are still files in the custody of American legislators to be revealed. Political Pressure: Could legislators seek further action Monetary Probe: Or scrutinize the misuse of public money Legal Possibility: There may even be a criminal probe into his conduct Perhaps for the time being the reputational impact to the crown is contained. The narrative from the institution was clearly that the revocation of titles was what the king, and especially other senior monarchical figures, desired. A Shift in Position An end to illusion that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, notably, the concise statement showed evidently that the monarchy were supporting the complainant's version of events. Furthermore, for the initial instance they eventually showed consideration for the affected individuals: "The measures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the truth that he persists in refuting the allegations against him." Finally it is entitlement, self-interest and inactivity that will destroy the monarchy. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that lesson.