How the Duke's Titles Loss Means for Fergie, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

York Family Members

The Duke's removal from the final remnants of royal life has not only reshaped his future - it's sending ripples through his family too.

Fergie's Title Change

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

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

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

"She will have lost a bit of cachet over this," noted one royal commentator. "She certainly 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, several charities removed her as ambassador after an email from over a decade ago revealed that she called Epstein her "greatest ally" and appeared to express regret for her public criticism of him.

Business Ventures and Philanthropy

Separate from her philanthropy, 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 monarchical networks. She's kept bouncing back.

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

The Daughters

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

For the couple's offspring, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, there's no formal change.

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

Additionally there is no modification to the royal succession order.

Andrew remains eighth in line to the crown, followed by his children Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth place in that order.

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

Coming Opportunities

Beatrice and Eugenie are also currently non-working royals, and while they occasionally accept positions – Princess Eugenie was recently announced as a mentor for the monarch's charity program – experts also say they "don't envision a scenario" in which they would advance into royal duties.

"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie are concerned, I think there's an understanding of the reality that this controversy isn't about them, and it's unjust for it to affect them personally in the independent lives they are carving out for themselves," explains one royal commentator.

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

Ultimate Consequences

In the end, there appears to be minimal uncertainty that the individual who will be most impacted by all of this will be Prince Andrew himself.

For someone who consistently enjoyed the trappings of royalty, the ceremony and the pageantry, the loss of his titles is deeply humiliating.

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

Beth Brown
Beth Brown

A tech-savvy entertainment blogger passionate about streaming services and digital media trends, sharing insights and reviews.