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

York Family Figures

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

Sarah Ferguson's New Status

The former spouse 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.

For all these years, she has kept the courtesy royal divorcee title Sarah, Duchess of York. Now, she returns to her birth name of Ferguson.

"She has lost a bit of cachet over this," noted one royal commentator. "She definitely utilizes the title – including her Twitter bio is @TheDuchessSarah."

But the relinquishment of her status may affect her much less than the controversy she's facing separately about her own connections to the convicted financier.

Last month, multiple organizations dropped her as patron after an email from 2011 showed that she called Epstein her "supreme friend" and seemed to apologise for her public criticism of him.

Business Ventures and Charity Work

Separate from her philanthropy, Ferguson also has multiple commercial enterprises.

And these, too, are more likely to be impacted by the Epstein scandal than any change in title, notes one monarchy analyst.

But Ferguson has been a remarkable endure in monarchical networks. She's kept bouncing back.

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

The Princesses

Princess Eugenie during occasion
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice pictured at a royal celebration in 2023

For Andrew and Sarah'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 granted since their birth.

There is also no change to the royal succession order.

The prince stays eighth position to the throne, succeeded by his children Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth position respectively.

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

Future Prospects

Beatrice and Eugenie are also presently non-official royals, and while they do sometimes accept positions – The younger princess was recently named as a mentor for the King's Foundation program – commentators also say they "don't envision a world" in which they would step up into royal duties.

"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie are concerned, I think there's an understanding of the fact that this scandal isn't about them, and it's not fair for it to affect them directly in the separate paths 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 composed in their silence," states another royal author.

Ultimate Consequences

In the end, there appears to be minimal uncertainty that the individual who will be most affected by these developments will be the Duke himself.

For a man who always liked the trappings of royalty, the pomp and the ceremony, the relinquishment of his honors is profoundly embarrassing.

Therefore lacking those, on a individual basis, will significantly count.

Tristan Davis
Tristan Davis

A passionate writer and growth coach dedicated to helping others thrive through actionable strategies and motivational content.