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

York Family Figures

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.

Sarah Ferguson's New Status

His ex-wife has now surrendered her ducal status and will now be referred to as Sarah Ferguson.

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

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

"She has lost a bit of cachet over this," said one royal commentator. "She definitely does use the title – even her social media profile is @SarahTheDuchess."

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

Recently, multiple organizations removed her as patron after an email from over a decade ago showed that she called Epstein her "greatest ally" and seemed to apologise for her public criticism of him.

Business Ventures and Charity Work

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

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

But Ferguson has been a great survivor in royal circles. She's kept bouncing back.

"She is the supreme perseverer and expert at transforming," commented one monarchy writer.

The Daughters

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

For the couple's two daughters, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, there's no official alteration.

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

There is also no modification to the line of succession.

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

But in practice their standing are "distant" and will probably become much further down as time goes on.

Future Prospects

The princesses are also presently non-official royals, and while they do sometimes take on roles – Princess Eugenie was recently announced as a mentor for the King's Foundation program – experts also suggest 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 isn't about them, and it's unjust for it to impact them directly in the independent lives they are carving out for themselves," says one royal commentator.

"Their daughters are most unfortunate affected parties, they've had to endure quietly and have been dignified in their reserve," states another royal author.

Final Impact

In the end, there seems to be little doubt that the person who will be most impacted by all of this 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 profoundly embarrassing.

So to not have these, on a personal level, will really matter.

Tanya Smith
Tanya Smith

A tech enthusiast and writer passionate about innovation and self-improvement, sharing experiences and knowledge.