🔗 Share this article

This episode commenced with a single photograph, arguably the most impactful ever snapped of a royal family member.

There stood the Baron Killyleagh, standing closely beside a young woman, while an associate beamed conspiratorially in the rear.

Without that image, taken at a social event in 2001, few would have credited the assertions of a young woman who stated she was transported across the Atlantic and obliged to have cursory relations with a prince of the royal bloodline?

An odd, indicative gesture by someone who had overtly stated to have no known about her, asserted he could never have had relations with her, and yet provided millions of family funds to resolve a long-delayed legal case.

A Long Period of Controversy

Against this backdrop, discussions of the royals acting decisively to distance themselves from Andrew are inaccurate. This controversy has persisted for the largest portion of 15 years since that image, and a further snapshot of Andrew strolling congenially with a convicted sex offender surfaced.

• Arrogance: How long did his family members, perhaps even his relatives, know that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have understood, if his staff and the law enforcement were doing their jobs, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he openly invited them to estates.
• Monetary Excess: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with state resources.

Journeys were documented in public records: private aircraft transfers from the estate to a sporting venue and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of regular transport, all for the convenience of "Airmiles Andy".

A Life of Privilege

Then there was the arrogance which expected respect when he walked into a space or the supreme obsession about his designations used on his correspondence in communication to his friends.

He managed to escape consequences while his parent, who unaccountably indulged him, was still living. The Queen did at least remove him of royal responsibilities and honorary colonelcies in the consequence of his ill-fated and, as revealed, mendacious television interview six years ago.

Recent Developments

Just in the last 14 days that events sped up, following the release of accounts giving more grim particulars of his behavior and that of his connections.

Further disclosures have again highlighted Andrew's belief that he could avoid being untruthful about his interaction with a notorious figure.

People (and the media) were far ahead of the royal family. There was no one of any importance to defend him, a result of all those years of arrogance.

Monarchical Concerns

The wiser royals recognized that. The key objective is to pass on the monarchy, if not as heretofore at least complete and unstained.

Over time the last 190 years trying to undo the legacy of previous monarchs, proving they are useful, accountable and reactive to their people.

Andrew was putting all that in jeopardy in an age when respect and secrecy is no longer adequate.

Aftermath

Ultimately, the famously indecisive monarch was prodded further. There was little choice. The institution had relinquished authority of the narrative.

Presently the loss of titles and the persistent and lifetime personal shame that will afflict Andrew most deeply.

• Reduction: Demoted to just a private citizen
• Prior Instance: The primary member to forfeit his designations in recent history
• Armed Forces: Notably hurtful given his duty in the conflict

He is still a counsellor of state, theoretically able to act for the sovereign, and he is still in the succession to the monarchy, but none of these will actually happen.

Future Prospects

Will people he encounters still acknowledge him? Could they still make mistakes and call him Prince? Would they say Andrew,

Certainly, he is not withdrawing to suburbia, but to the monarchy's extensive property at a monarchical property.

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

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

Unresolved Issues

The situation continues. There are still documents in the custody of US Congress to be made public.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Will lawmakers request additional information
• Financial Investigation: Or investigate the improper use of public money
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a criminal probe into his behavior

Maybe for the present the harm to the monarchy to the institution is limited. The statement from the institution was plainly that the stripping of designations was what the king, and particularly other senior royals, sought.

Changed Stance

No more pretence that Andrew was doing it voluntarily. And, remarkably, the brief announcement showed evidently that the monarchy were siding with the victim's version of occurrences.

Additionally, for the initial instance they ultimately showed regard for the survivors: "The measures are considered essential, notwithstanding the reality that he maintains his innocence of the allegations against him."

In the end it is entitlement, self-seeking and laziness that will undermine the monarchy. In his stupidity, personal excess and greed, Andrew appears never to have learned that truth.