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

York Family Members

Prince Andrew's removal from the final remnants of royal life has not only reshaped his future - it's creating waves through his immediate relatives too.

Fergie's New Status

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

For Sarah, sixty-six, the change will be the most apparent.

For all these years, she has maintained the honorary royal divorcee title Sarah, Duchess of York. Now, she reverts to her maiden name of Ferguson.

"She will have lost a bit of cachet over this," noted one royal commentator. "She definitely does use the title – including her Twitter bio is @TheDuchessSarah."

But the relinquishment of her status may impact her much less than the controversy she's facing separately about her own connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

Recently, multiple organizations dropped her as patron 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.

Professional Endeavors and Charity Work

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

And these, too, are more probable to be affected by the Epstein controversy than any change in title, says one royal commentator.

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

"She's the ultimate survivor and expert at transforming," commented one royal author.

The Princesses

Princess Beatrice at event
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice pictured at a royal celebration in last year

For the couple's offspring, Beatrice, thirty-seven, and Eugenie, 35, there's no formal change.

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

Additionally there is no change to the line of succession.

The prince stays eighth position to the throne, followed 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

The princesses are also presently non-official royals, and while they occasionally accept positions – Princess Eugenie was recently named as a advisor for the monarch's charity program – experts also say they "can't see a world" in which they would advance into official responsibilities.

"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an understanding of the fact that this controversy doesn't involve them, and it's not fair for it to impact them personally in the independent lives they are carving out 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 silence," adds another royal author.

Ultimate Consequences

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

For someone who always liked the trappings of royalty, the ceremony and the pageantry, the relinquishment of his honors is deeply humiliating.

So to not have those, on a individual basis, will really matter.

Jason Barnett
Jason Barnett

A passionate writer and traveler, Evelyn shares insights from her global journeys and personal experiences to inspire others.