How the Duke's Titles Loss Means for Sarah Ferguson, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

York Family Figures

Prince Andrew's removal from the final remnants of royal life has not only altered his path - it's sending ripples through his immediate relatives too.

Fergie's New Status

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

For Sarah, 66, the change will be the most visible.

Throughout this period, she has kept the courtesy royal post-marital designation Sarah, York Duchess. Currently, she reverts to her maiden name of Ferguson.

"She will have lost a bit of cachet over this," noted one monarchy expert. "She certainly utilizes the title – including her Twitter bio is @SarahTheDuchess."

But the relinquishment of her status may impact her much less than the controversy she's dealing with independently about her own links with the convicted financier.

Last month, several charities removed her as ambassador after correspondence from over a decade ago showed that she referred to Epstein her "supreme friend" and seemed to apologise for her public criticism of him.

Business Ventures and Philanthropy

Away from her charitable activities, Ferguson also has various business ventures.

And these ventures, are more likely to be impacted by the Epstein controversy than any alteration in status, says one royal commentator.

But Ferguson has been a remarkable endure in monarchical networks. She's kept bouncing back.

"She's the supreme perseverer and master of reinvention," commented one monarchy writer.

The Princesses

Princess Beatrice during occasion
Princess Eugenie and Princess Eugenie pictured at a royal celebration in 2023

For Andrew and Sarah's two daughters, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, thirty-five, there's no official alteration.

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

There is also no change to the royal succession order.

Andrew remains eighth in line to the crown, followed by his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth place in that order.

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

Coming Opportunities

The princesses are also presently non-working royals, and while they occasionally take on roles – Princess Eugenie was recently named as a mentor for the King's Foundation network – commentators also say they "can't see a world" in which they would advance into royal duties.

"Regarding Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an understanding of the reality that this controversy isn't about them, and it's unjust for it to affect them directly in the separate paths they are building for themselves," says one monarchy analyst.

"The princesses are particularly unlucky victims, they've had to suffer in silence and have been composed in their reserve," states another royal author.

Ultimate Consequences

In the end, there appears to be little doubt that the person who will be most impacted by these developments will be the Duke himself.

For someone who consistently enjoyed the trappings of royalty, the ceremony and the pageantry, the loss of his titles is deeply humiliating.

Therefore lacking these, on a individual basis, will significantly count.

Laura Colon
Laura Colon

A passionate writer and cultural enthusiast, Evelyn shares her love for storytelling and exploration through vivid narratives.