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

York Family Members

The Duke's removal from the last vestiges of royal life has not only reshaped his future - it's creating waves through his immediate relatives too.

Fergie's Title Change

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

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

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

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

But the loss of her title may impact her much less than the scandal she's facing separately about her own connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

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

Business Ventures and Philanthropy

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

And these, too, are more probable to be affected by the Epstein controversy than any alteration in status, says one royal commentator.

But Ferguson has been a great survivor in royal circles. She has continued bouncing back.

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

The Daughters

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

For the couple's offspring, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, thirty-five, there's no official alteration.

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

Additionally there is no modification to the royal succession order.

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

But in practice their standing are "low down" and will likely become much further down as years pass.

Future Prospects

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 King's Foundation network – commentators also say they "don't envision 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 isn't about them, and it's unjust for it to affect them personally in the separate paths they are building for themselves," says one monarchy analyst.

"The princesses are particularly unlucky affected parties, they've had to endure quietly and have been dignified in their silence," adds another royal author.

Ultimate Consequences

Ultimately, there seems to be minimal uncertainty that the person who will be most impacted by these developments will be Prince Andrew himself.

For a man who always liked the royal privileges, the ceremony and the ceremony, the relinquishment of his honors is profoundly embarrassing.

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

Dalton Frank
Dalton Frank

A passionate writer and digital enthusiast with a knack for uncovering unique stories and trends.