🔗 Share this article

It all began with a isolated photograph, arguably the most consequential ever captured of a royal family member.

In the frame appeared the Earl of Inverness, with his arm around a teenage girl, while a companion beamed conspiratorially in the backdrop.

Lacking that image, captured at a gathering in 2001, few would have credited the allegations of a young woman who said she was moved across the sea and compelled to have perfunctory intimate contact with a member of the royal bloodline?

An odd, revealing gesture by someone who had overtly claimed to have never known about her, said he could never have had intimate contact with her, and yet handed over millions of family resources to resolve a protracted court action.

Over a Decade of Scandal

Against this backdrop, talk of the royal family acting swiftly to sever ties with Andrew are misguided. This scandal has continued for the better part of 15 years since that image, and an additional photo of Andrew ambling amiably with a convicted sex offender came to light.

• Hubris: To what extent did his brothers and sisters, possibly even his relatives, know that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have known, if his employees and the authorities were performing their duties, that he had some deeply disreputable associates given he openly welcomed them to estates.
• Financial Extravagance: If the household did not know about his personal conduct, they certainly knew about his wastefulness with public money.

Trips were documented in public records: chopper flights from the palace to a golf course and back again in time for dining, private flights instead of scheduled services, all for the benefit of "Airmiles Andy".

World of Deference

Then there was the presumption which demanded deference when he walked into a room or the extreme consciousness about his designations used on his correspondence in communication to his associates.

He could get away with it while his matriarch, who strangely indulged him, was still alive. The sovereign did at least revoke him of royal responsibilities and military positions in the wake of his disastrous and, we now know, deceptive media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last 14 days that events accelerated, following the publication of accounts giving more troubling details of his conduct and that of his companions.

More information have again revealed Andrew's thinking that he could escape deceiving about his contact with a disgraced individual.

People (and the press) were far in advance of the royals. There was no one of any significance to support him, a consequence of all those years of presumption.

Institutional Fears

The more astute monarchical figures realized that. The primary concern is to transfer the monarchy, if not as before at least intact and unstained.

For generations the last 190 years trying to undo the legacy of earlier rulers, showing they are beneficial, responsible and responsive to their citizens.

He was placing all that in danger in an era when respect and secrecy is no longer adequate.

The Fallout

Eventually, the famously uncertain king was pressured further. There was no other option. The royal household had relinquished authority of the narrative.

Now it is the removal of designations and the continued and life-long personal shame that will pain Andrew most severely.

• Demotion: Lowered to just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor
• Past Example: The initial member to surrender his designations in modern times
• Military Service: Particularly hurtful given his service in the conflict

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

Coming Developments

Will people he comes across still acknowledge him? Will they still slip up and call him Your Highness? Will they even say Mr,

Of course, he is not retiring to an ordinary town, but to the sovereign's large grounds at Sandringham.

In that place, he will be furnished by the sovereign with one of the estate properties and given some form of financial support.

It is not his previous residence, where he paid a nominal lease for more than 20 years, and the county is a bit remote, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Pending Matters

Matters remain unresolved. There are still records in the hands of US Congress to be revealed.

• Political Pressure: Will parliament demand more
• Fiscal Review: Or investigate the misuse of taxpayer funds
• Legal Possibility: There may even be a criminal probe into his conduct

Maybe for the moment the institutional damage to the monarchy is contained. The statement from the institution was plainly that the revocation of honorifics was what the sovereign, and particularly other senior family members, sought.

Altered Approach

The cessation of deception that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the concise statement showed clearly that the monarchy were supporting the complainant's version of events.

Furthermore, for the premiere occasion they ultimately showed consideration for the survivors: "The measures are considered essential, despite the truth that he continues to deny the claims against him."

Finally it is arrogance, self-interest and laziness that will destroy the institution. In his stupidity, personal excess and corruption, Andrew seems never to have learned that reality.