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

Royal Family Members

Prince Andrew's removal from the last vestiges of royal life has not only reshaped his future - it's sending ripples through his immediate relatives too.

Fergie's Title Change

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

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

Throughout this period, she has maintained the honorary royal post-marital designation Sarah, York Duchess. Currently, she reverts to her birth name of Ferguson.

"She has lost a certain prestige over this," said one royal commentator. "She certainly does use the title – even her Twitter bio is @SarahTheDuchess."

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

Recently, multiple organizations dropped her as ambassador after correspondence from over a decade ago revealed that she called Epstein her "greatest ally" and seemed to apologise for her public criticism of him.

Business Ventures and Philanthropy

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

And these ventures, are more likely to be affected by the Epstein controversy than any alteration in status, notes one monarchy analyst.

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

"She is the supreme perseverer and expert at transforming," said one royal author.

The Princesses

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

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

They will still be known as royal princesses, which they have been entitled to since birth.

There is also no change to the royal succession order.

Andrew remains eighth position to the throne, succeeded by his children Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth position respectively.

But in practice their standing are "distant" and will probably become even more remote as time goes on.

Coming Opportunities

Beatrice and Eugenie are also currently non-official royals, and while they do sometimes take on roles – Princess Eugenie was recently announced as a mentor for the monarch's charity program – commentators also say they "can't see a world" in which they would advance into official responsibilities.

"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie are concerned, I think there's an understanding of the reality that this controversy doesn't involve 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 most unfortunate affected parties, they've had to endure quietly and have been composed in their silence," adds another monarchy writer.

Ultimate Consequences

Ultimately, there appears to be little doubt that the person who will be most affected by all of this will be Prince Andrew himself.

For someone who consistently enjoyed the trappings of royalty, the pomp and the pageantry, the loss of his titles is profoundly embarrassing.

So to not have these, on a personal level, will significantly count.

Michael Miller
Michael Miller

A tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for reviewing the latest gadgets and sharing practical tech advice.