🔗 Share this article

This episode commenced with a solitary photograph, perhaps the most consequential ever taken of a member of the monarchy.

Present was the Baron Killyleagh, with his arm around a female youth, while a companion smiled conspiratorially in the backdrop.

Lacking that snapshot, taken at a party in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a adolescent who declared she was trafficked across the sea and obliged to have perfunctory intimate contact with a individual of the monarchy?

A strange, indicative move by someone who had publicly stated to have never known about her, claimed he could never have had sex with her, and yet provided a substantial sum of monarchical funds to settle a drawn-out legal case.

Years of Scandal

Against this backdrop, conversations of the monarchy acting decisively to sever ties with Andrew are wide of the mark. This scandal has persisted for the majority of 15 years since that picture, and a further photo of Andrew walking pleasantly with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Hubris: To what extent did his family members, possibly even his relatives, know that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his aides and the law enforcement were fulfilling their roles, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he publicly welcomed them to estates.
• Financial Extravagance: If the family did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his overspending with taxpayer funds.

Travel were printed in official documents: chopper flights from the palace to a golf course and back again in time for lunch, exclusive air travel instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "the frequent flyer".

A Life of Privilege

Additionally the presumption which required subservience when he appeared in a area or the extreme awareness about his honorifics used on his official documents in communication to his friends.

He avoided accountability while his matriarch, who inexplicably indulged him, was still surviving. The monarch did at least revoke him of royal responsibilities and ceremonial ranks in the consequence of his disastrous and, as revealed, mendacious television interview six years ago.

Latest Events

It was only in the last 14 days that events sped up, following the release of books giving more disturbing information of his actions and that of his connections.

Additional revelations have again highlighted Andrew's belief that he could avoid being untruthful about his contact with a notorious figure.

The public (and the press) were far in advance of the royal family. There was nobody of any significance to speak up for him, a outcome of all those years of arrogance.

Royal Worries

The more astute monarchical figures understood that. The primary concern is to hand down the monarchy, if not as before at least complete and unblemished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of past sovereigns, proving they are useful, accountable and responsive to their people.

Andrew was putting all that in jeopardy in an time when deference and discretion is no longer sufficient.

Consequences

Finally, the famously indecisive king was prodded further. There was little choice. The royal household had relinquished authority of the account.

Now it is the loss of honorifics and the persistent and lifetime social disgrace that will pain Andrew most severely.

• Demotion: Demoted to just a private citizen
• Prior Instance: The primary member to lose his titles in contemporary era
• Military Service: Especially stinging given his duty in the Falklands war

He remains a royal advisor, in principle able to substitute for the monarch, and he is still in the lineage to the throne, but not any of these will actually happen.

What Lies Ahead

Can persons he meets still show respect to him? Could they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Might they say Mr,

Naturally, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the royal family's extensive estate at Sandringham.

At that location, he will be furnished by the monarch with one of the estate properties and given some form of financial support.

This differs from his previous residence, where he paid a token payment for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit remote, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Outstanding Concerns

Matters remain unresolved. There are still files in the possession of American legislators to be made public.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Might legislators request additional information
• Financial Investigation: Or investigate the misuse of taxpayer funds
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a criminal probe into his behavior

Maybe for the time being the reputational impact to the crown is contained. The statement from the institution was clearly that the stripping of honorifics was what the monarch, and particularly other senior royals, desired.

Changed Stance

No more pretence that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, remarkably, the short communication showed plainly that the monarchy were siding with the complainant's account of occurrences.

Additionally, for the premiere occasion they finally showed regard for the affected individuals: "These actions are considered essential, notwithstanding the reality that he continues to deny the claims against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, self-seeking and indolence that will kill the institution. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and greed, Andrew gives the impression never to have understood that lesson.