What Prince Andrew's Titles Loss Means for Sarah Ferguson, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

Royal Family Figures

The Duke'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

The former spouse has now surrendered her ducal status and will now be referred to as Sarah Ferguson.

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

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

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

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

Recently, multiple organizations dropped her as patron after an email from over a decade ago showed that she referred to Epstein her "supreme friend" and appeared to express regret for her negative comments of him.

Professional Endeavors and Philanthropy

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

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

But Ferguson has been a great survivor in monarchical networks. She's kept recovering strongly.

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

The Daughters

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

For Andrew and Sarah's two daughters, Beatrice, thirty-seven, and Eugenie, thirty-five, 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 modification to the royal succession order.

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 reality their positions are "distant" and will likely become much further down as time goes on.

Future Prospects

Beatrice and Eugenie are also currently non-official royals, and while they occasionally take on roles – Princess Eugenie was recently announced as a mentor for the monarch's charity program – experts also suggest they "can't see a scenario" in which they would advance into royal duties.

"Regarding Beatrice and Eugenie are concerned, I think there's an appreciation of the reality that this controversy doesn't involve them, and it's not fair for it to affect them personally in the separate paths they are building for themselves," explains one monarchy analyst.

"The princesses are particularly unlucky affected parties, they've had to suffer in silence and have been dignified in their silence," states another monarchy writer.

Final Impact

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

For a man who consistently enjoyed the royal privileges, the pomp and the ceremony, the relinquishment of his honors is deeply humiliating.

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

Darlene George
Darlene George

A passionate writer and innovator sharing insights on creativity and practical solutions for everyday challenges.