Halloween may be behind us, but the timing feels oddly appropriate.
In a story that reads almost like a cautionary tale, the man once known as Prince Andrew seems to have hit what tarot enthusiasts might call a ‘Tower’ moment.
In tarot, the Tower card symbolizes sudden upheaval, a dramatic collapse of long-held beliefs, and a reckoning that can leave devastation in its wake.
The image on the card shows two people – one wearing a crown – tumbling from a burning tower, a lightning bolt having struck the roof.
In Andrew’s case, the imagery is almost uncomfortably apt.
In just a few weeks, he has gone from the heights of royal privilege to a far humbler existence.
Titles stripped, homes reassigned, family connections frayed, and his public identity profoundly altered – Andrew has, for all intents and purposes, fallen from grace.
And while some might wonder how he didn’t see it coming, it appears he truly didn’t.
Perhaps he underestimated his brother’s resolve, or perhaps he believed he had done nothing wrong. Either way, the wake-up call has been colossal.
Innocent in Law, Guilty in Public Eye
It’s worth repeating: Andrew has not been convicted of any crime.
Technically, he hasn’t broken the law as far as we know, and in the eyes of the law, he remains innocent.
Yet that legal innocence does little to stem the tide of public scandal that has dogged him for decades.
From allegations linked to Virginia Giuffre to connections with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and even brushes with intelligence controversies, Andrew’s past decisions and associations have cast a long shadow.
His attempts to respond or defend himself often only reinforced the public perception of impropriety.
High-handed dismissals, obfuscation, and questionable decisions paint a picture of someone out of touch with the accountability that comes with privilege.
Being a royal isn’t just about titles and privilege; it comes with responsibilities that Andrew has repeatedly failed to honor.
Supporters and Their Arguments
Despite everything, Andrew still has supporters – mostly men, it seems – who argue that friendships with convicted offenders are not crimes.
They point out that simply being photographed with notorious figures or inviting them to private events does not automatically imply wrongdoing.
On paper, they have a point.
But when actions and words don’t align – denying ever meeting Giuffre while evidence shows otherwise, claiming to cut ties with Epstein yet sending emails hinting at continued contact, or spending millions to secure silence – the narrative becomes harder to defend.
Even if he is innocent of specific allegations, the cumulative effect is a reputation steeped in scandal and moral ambiguity.
Cutting the Rotten Branch
Faced with this situation, King Charles made a hard but necessary decision.
In any family – royal or not – a decaying branch cannot remain attached without risking the health of the whole tree.
By removing Andrew from official duties, the monarch acted decisively.
Yet this does not have to be the end of the story. For Andrew, this could be a chance to reinvent himself.
There’s an opportunity to leave behind the entitled, reckless persona of the past and build a more grounded, responsible identity as Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor.
Lessons from the Tower
Everyone experiences their own version of a Tower moment – abrupt, humbling, and often humiliating.
I’ve had my fair share, each feeling like the end of the world at the time. Yet each one taught me vital lessons about humility, priorities, and personal growth.
They reveal who your true friends are and what truly matters.
If Andrew embraces his new reality without excuses or shortcuts, he too could learn from this collapse.
It won’t be easy, but the choice is his: remain isolated and bitter, or seek redemption through genuine reflection and responsible action.
Life at Sandringham Is Still a Blessing
It’s important to keep perspective. Life at Sandringham, even if far from the grandeur he once knew, is hardly a punishment.
Comfortable surroundings, privacy, and security remain his. By most standards, he is still fortunate.
Historical royals faced far harsher fates – long imprisonments, executions, and political betrayals.
By comparison, Andrew still has his freedom, his life, and a roof over his head.
Gratitude, then, may be the first step toward rehabilitation.
From here, it’s a long climb back to respectability – one that will require honesty, humility, and a willingness to learn from past mistakes. For now, at least, he has the chance to try.