How Prince Andrew's Removal of Titles Signifies for Fergie, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie

York Family Figures

The Duke's exit from the last vestiges of royal life has not only altered his path - it's sending ripples through his immediate relatives too.

Fergie's Title Change

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

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

Throughout this period, she has kept the courtesy royal divorcee title Sarah, Duchess of York. Currently, she returns to her maiden name of Ferguson.

"She will have lost a bit of cachet over this," noted one monarchy expert. "She certainly does use the title – including her social media profile 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.

Last month, multiple organizations dropped her as patron after an email from over a decade ago revealed that she referred to Epstein her "greatest ally" and appeared to express regret for her public criticism of him.

Professional Endeavors and Philanthropy

Separate from her charitable activities, Ferguson also has various business ventures.

And these, too, are more probable to be impacted by the Epstein scandal than any change in title, notes one royal commentator.

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

"She is the ultimate survivor and master of reinvention," commented one monarchy writer.

The Princesses

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

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

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

There is also no modification to the royal succession order.

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

But in reality their positions are "distant" and will probably become even more remote as years pass.

Coming Opportunities

Beatrice and Eugenie are also presently non-working royals, and while they do sometimes take on roles – The younger princess was recently announced as a advisor for the King's Foundation network – commentators also say they "can't see a world" in which they would advance into royal duties.

"Regarding Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an appreciation of the fact that this scandal doesn't involve them, and it's unjust for it to impact 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 composed in their reserve," adds another monarchy writer.

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 royal privileges, the ceremony and the ceremony, the loss of his titles is profoundly embarrassing.

Therefore lacking those, on a individual basis, will really matter.

Mrs. Krystal Guerrero
Mrs. Krystal Guerrero

A seasoned travel writer and Naples local, sharing expert tips on transportation and hidden gems in the city.