What the Duke's Removal of Titles Signifies for Sarah Ferguson, Beatrice and Eugenie

York Family Figures

Prince Andrew's removal from the last vestiges of monarchical duties has not only altered his path - it's creating waves through his family too.

Fergie's New Status

His ex-wife has now lost her duchess title and will simply be known as Sarah Ferguson.

For Ferguson, 66, the change will be the most apparent.

Throughout this period, she has kept the courtesy royal divorcee title Sarah, Duchess of York. Now, she returns to her maiden name of Ferguson.

"She has lost a certain prestige over this," said one monarchy expert. "She certainly does use the title – including her social media profile is @TheDuchessSarah."

But the loss of her title may affect her much less than the scandal she's facing separately about her own connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

Last month, multiple organizations removed her as patron after correspondence from 2011 revealed that she referred to Epstein her "supreme friend" and seemed to apologise for her negative comments of him.

Business Ventures and Charity Work

Separate from her philanthropy, Ferguson also has various business ventures.

And these ventures, are more probable to be affected by the Epstein controversy than any change in title, notes one monarchy analyst.

But Ferguson has been a remarkable endure in royal circles. She has continued recovering strongly.

"She's the ultimate survivor and master of reinvention," said one monarchy writer.

The Daughters

Princess Eugenie at event
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice seen at a Coronation Big Lunch in 2023

For Andrew and Sarah's offspring, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, there's no formal change.

They continue to be referred to as royal princesses, which they have been granted since their birth.

Additionally there is no modification to the line of succession.

The prince stays eighth position to the crown, followed by his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth place respectively.

But in practice their standing are "distant" and will likely become even more remote as years pass.

Coming Opportunities

Beatrice and Eugenie are also presently non-official royals, and while they occasionally take on roles – The younger princess was recently announced as a mentor for the King's Foundation program – commentators also say they "don't envision a world" in which they would step up into royal duties.

"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an appreciation of the reality that this controversy isn't about them, and it's not fair for it to affect them directly in the independent lives they are building for themselves," explains one royal commentator.

"The princesses are particularly unlucky victims, they've had to endure quietly and have been dignified in their silence," adds another monarchy writer.

Ultimate Consequences

In the end, there seems to be little doubt that the individual who will be most affected by all of this will be the Duke himself.

For a man who always liked the royal privileges, the pomp and the pageantry, the relinquishment of his honors is profoundly embarrassing.

So to not have those, on a individual basis, will significantly count.

Andre Gordon
Andre Gordon

A passionate iOS developer with over 8 years of experience, specializing in Swift and creating user-friendly apps.