🔗 Share this article

This episode commenced with a isolated photograph, arguably the most impactful ever taken of a member of the monarchy.

In the frame appeared the Baron Killyleagh, arm-in-arm a young woman, while a companion beamed knowingly in the backdrop.

Lacking that image, taken at a party in 2001, who would have believed the allegations of a teenager who said she was trafficked across the ocean and obliged to have perfunctory sexual encounters with a individual of the monarchy?

A curious, telling gesture by someone who had publicly stated to have no heard of her, claimed he could no have had sex with her, and yet paid a substantial sum of monarchical money to settle a protracted court action.

Years of Controversy

In this context, talk of the monarchy acting swiftly to distance themselves from Andrew are misguided. This controversy has persisted for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and an additional image of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a convicted sex offender emerged.

• Hubris: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, perhaps even his mother and father, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have realized, if his employees and the authorities were performing their duties, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he unabashedly welcomed them to royal residences.
• Fiscal Irresponsibility: If the monarchy did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with state resources.

Journeys were printed in official documents: chopper travel from the palace to a country club and back again in time for dining, private flights instead of commercial flights, all for the comfort of "the travel enthusiast".

Existence of Entitlement

Additionally the arrogance which demanded subservience when he walked into a room or the extreme obsession about his royal titles used on his official documents in communication to his personal acquaintances.

He could get away with it while his matriarch, who inexplicably spoiled him, was still living. The monarch did at least strip him of royal responsibilities and ceremonial ranks in the wake of his ill-fated and, as revealed, mendacious media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

Merely in the last fortnight that events accelerated, following the publication of biographical works giving more grim details of his conduct and that of his companions.

Further disclosures have again highlighted Andrew's thinking that he could avoid deceiving about his relationship with a disgraced individual.

People (and the media) were far ahead of the monarchy. There was no one of any importance to speak up for him, a outcome of all those years of presumption.

Institutional Fears

The wiser monarchical figures understood that. The key objective is to transfer the crown, if not as heretofore at least complete and unstained.

For generations the last 190 years trying to reverse the legacy of earlier rulers, proving they are beneficial, accountable and attentive to their people.

He was placing all that in peril in an era when deference and privacy is no longer enough.

Consequences

Eventually, the famously indecisive sovereign was prodded further. There was little choice. The royal household had lost control of the narrative.

Presently the loss of titles and the persistent and permanent public humiliation that will hurt Andrew the most.

• Reduction: Demoted to just a commoner
• Historical Precedent: The initial monarch to lose his titles in modern times
• Armed Forces: Notably painful given his duty in the conflict

He continues to be a constitutional officer, in principle able to act for the sovereign, and he is still eighth in line to the crown, but not any of these will actually happen.

Coming Developments

Can persons he meets still show respect to him? Might they still slip up and call him Prince? Will they even say Sir,

Of course, he is not withdrawing to a common area, but to the monarchy's vast estate at Sandringham.

In that place, he will be supplied by the monarch with one of the royal residences and given some sort of private allowance.

This is not his former home, where he paid a token rent for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit remote, but even so it may not be far enough.

Outstanding Concerns

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

• Parliamentary Interest: Will legislators seek further action
• Fiscal Review: Or investigate the waste of taxpayer funds
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a criminal probe into his conduct

Possibly for the present the reputational impact to the institution is limited. The narrative from the royal household was plainly that the removal of honorifics was what the monarch, and especially other senior monarchical figures, wanted.

Altered Approach

An end to deception that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, notably, the concise announcement showed plainly that the institution were siding with the accuser's account of events.

Additionally, for the premiere occasion they ultimately showed concern for the affected individuals: "These actions are considered essential, notwithstanding the fact that he persists in refuting the allegations against him."

In the end it is presumption, self-interest and indolence that will destroy the monarchy. In his foolishness, self-indulgence and venality, Andrew seems never to have understood that lesson.