🔗 Share this article

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

In the frame appeared the Earl of Inverness, arm-in-arm a teenage girl, while an associate grinned conspiratorially in the background.

Absent that image, captured at a gathering in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the claims of a teenager who said she was transported across the sea and compelled to have cursory sexual encounters with a individual of the royal bloodline?

A strange, telling action by someone who had publicly asserted to have no known about her, claimed he could never have had relations with her, and yet paid a substantial sum of his mother's funds to avert a protracted court action.

A Long Period of Scandal

Considering this, discussions of the monarchy acting firmly to sever ties with Andrew are wide of the mark. This controversy has endured for the better part of 15 years since that photograph, and another image of Andrew strolling amiably with a disgraced financier came to light.

• Arrogance: How long did his siblings, perhaps even his parents, understand that Andrew was so presumptuous?
• Questionable Associations: They must have understood, if his aides and the authorities were doing their jobs, that he had some highly questionable companions given he openly invited them to estates.
• Financial Extravagance: If the household did not know about his intimate behaviors, they certainly knew about his extravagance with public money.

Journeys were documented in royal annual reports: helicopter travel from the palace to a country club and back again in time for midday meal, exclusive air travel instead of commercial flights, all for the benefit of "Airmiles Andy".

A Life of Privilege

Then there was the presumption which required subservience when he walked into a space or the supreme awareness about his royal titles used on his official documents in messages to his friends.

He could get away with it while his parent, who unaccountably indulged him, was still living. The Queen did at least revoke him of public duties and ceremonial ranks in the aftermath of his catastrophic and, it is now clear, untruthful public statement six years ago.

Current Situation

Just in the last 14 days that events sped up, following the release of biographical works giving more disturbing particulars of his conduct and that of his companions.

Further disclosures have again revealed Andrew's belief that he could get away with lying about his interaction with a notorious figure.

The public (and the journalists) were far more perceptive of the royals. There was not a single person of any significance to speak up for him, a outcome of all those years of presumption.

Institutional Fears

The wiser family members recognized that. The key objective is to hand down the monarchy, if not as previously at least whole and unblemished.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the reputation of past sovereigns, proving they are beneficial, accountable and attentive to their citizens.

His actions endangered all that in jeopardy in an age when respect and secrecy is no longer adequate.

Aftermath

Eventually, the famously uncertain sovereign was pressured further. There was little choice. The royal household had relinquished authority of the narrative.

Currently the loss of designations and the persistent and lifetime personal shame that will afflict Andrew the most.

• Demotion: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Historical Precedent: The first monarch to lose his designations in modern times
• Naval Career: Particularly hurtful given his role in the conflict

He is still a counsellor of state, theoretically able to act for the monarch, and he is still eighth in line to the crown, but none of these will ever come to pass.

Coming Developments

Do individuals he encounters still show respect to him? Could they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Would they say Sir,

Naturally, he is not retiring to a common area, but to the monarchy's extensive grounds at a monarchical property.

At that location, he will be provided by the monarch with one of the grace and favour houses and given some sort of financial support.

It is not his prior accommodation, where he paid a nominal lease for more than 20 years, and the area is a bit remote, but even so it may not be far enough.

Outstanding Concerns

This is not over. There are still records in the hands of American legislators to be disclosed.

• Governmental Scrutiny: Could legislators request additional information
• Fiscal Review: Or examine the waste of taxpayer funds
• Judicial Potential: There may even be a criminal probe into his behavior

Maybe for the time being the harm to the monarchy to the monarchy is restricted. The message from the royal household was evidently that the revocation of titles was what the monarch, and notably other senior monarchical figures, wanted.

Altered Approach

The cessation of pretence that Andrew was making the choice himself. And, significantly, the brief statement showed plainly that the monarchy were siding with the complainant's account of incidents.

Additionally, for the initial instance they eventually showed consideration for the victims: "The censures are judged required, despite the fact that he continues to deny the claims against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, self-seeking and laziness that will undermine the crown. In his folly, self-gratification and corruption, Andrew seems never to have learned that truth.