A Prince Disgraced

For those of us who rather like our constitutional monarchy, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, is increasingly something of an embarrassment. Now let me make it clear: he has not so far stood trial for any offence and he strongly denies any wrong-doing. Any court, this blog and public opinion ought to give him the benefit of the doubt until any potential verdict is reached. Nevertheless, the fact that he associated with such people as Maxwell and Epstein, though no crime in itself, is highly questionable on moral grounds. Still, the legal process will be concluded one way or another. I would argue that no one is above the law; sexual predators should be prosecuted regardless of the family to which they belong. Likewise, the Prince must not be dealt with more harshly or less charitably because of the privileged life he has thus far led. I noted with interest, last week, that the BBC reports his return to the Queen of certain ‘royal patronages’, military ranks and the usage of the title 'His Royal Highness’ in an ‘official capacity’. Is this the Queen’s way of rebuking him, or preparation for an even steeper demotion?

I do not intend to compare Prince Andrew with the Prince of the Power of the Air; whatever his alleged crimes, he is well shy of Satan’s level of depravity. Yet Lucifer, too, was a well-beloved prince, a privileged and respected member of God’s inner circle. Of the King of Tyre, who seems to be a picture of Satan, Ezekiel the prophet writes:

“You were the seal of perfection,
Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
You were in Eden, the garden of God;
Every precious stone was your covering:
The sardius, topaz, and diamond,
Beryl, onyx, and jasper,
Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold.
The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes
Was prepared for you on the day you were created”. (28:12-13)

In the next year or so, we might well witness the disgrace of a royal prince, and a shaming of the royal house that bred him. Of course it might not come to that; some unforeseen circumstance might close the whole thing down; or, if he ever stands trial, he might be found not guilty. Yet in the heavenly realms, a greater scandal and shame was caused by the rebellion of a beautiful and wise cherub, an archangel if ever there was one, agitating and defying the very God who made him.

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!" Is 14:12

Image by Martin Ludlam from Pixabay