What the Duke's Titles Loss Signifies for Fergie, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

Royal Family Members

Prince Andrew's removal from the final remnants of monarchical duties has not only reshaped his future - it's sending ripples through his family too.

Sarah Ferguson's New Status

The former spouse has now lost her duchess title and will simply be known as Sarah Ferguson.

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

For all these years, she has maintained the honorary royal post-marital designation Sarah, York Duchess. Now, she reverts to her maiden name of Ferguson.

"She has lost a bit of cachet over this," said one royal commentator. "She certainly utilizes the title – even her Twitter bio is @TheDuchessSarah."

But the loss of her title may impact her much less than the scandal she's dealing with independently about her own links with the convicted financier.

Recently, several charities dropped her as patron after correspondence from over a decade ago showed that she called Epstein her "greatest ally" and seemed to apologise for her negative comments of him.

Business Ventures and Charity Work

Separate from her philanthropy, Ferguson also has multiple commercial enterprises.

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

But Ferguson has been a great survivor in royal circles. She has continued bouncing back.

"She's the ultimate survivor and master of reinvention," commented one royal author.

The Princesses

Princess Beatrice at event
Princess Beatrice and Princess Beatrice seen at a royal celebration in last year

For the couple's offspring, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, thirty-five, there's no formal change.

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

There is also no change to the royal succession order.

The prince stays eighth position to the throne, succeeded by his children Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth position in that order.

But in practice their positions are "low down" and will likely become even more remote as time goes on.

Coming Opportunities

Beatrice and Eugenie are also presently non-official royals, and while they do sometimes accept positions – Princess Eugenie was recently announced as a mentor for the King's Foundation network – commentators also suggest they "don't envision a world" in which they would advance into royal duties.

"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an understanding of the reality that this scandal isn't about them, and it's not fair for it to affect them personally in the separate paths they are carving out for themselves," explains one monarchy analyst.

"Their daughters are particularly unlucky affected parties, they've had to suffer in silence and have been composed in their reserve," adds another royal author.

Final Impact

In the end, there appears to be minimal uncertainty that the individual who will be most affected by all of this will be Prince Andrew himself.

For someone who always liked the royal privileges, the pomp and the ceremony, the relinquishment of his honors is profoundly embarrassing.

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

Stephen Gordon
Stephen Gordon

A passionate traveler and writer dedicated to uncovering the world's hidden treasures and sharing authentic local experiences.