How the Duke's Removal of Titles Signifies for Fergie, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie

Royal Family Members

Prince Andrew's removal from the final remnants of royal life has not only altered his path - it's creating waves through his immediate relatives too.

Sarah Ferguson's Title Change

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 maintained the honorary royal divorcee title Sarah, Duchess of York. Currently, she reverts to her maiden name of Ferguson.

"She has lost a bit of cachet over this," said one monarchy expert. "She definitely utilizes the title – even her social media profile is @TheDuchessSarah."

But the relinquishment of her status may affect her much less than the scandal she's facing separately about her own connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

Recently, multiple organizations dropped her as patron after correspondence from over a decade ago revealed that she referred to Epstein her "greatest ally" and seemed to apologise for her negative comments of him.

Business Ventures and Charity Work

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

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

But Ferguson has been a remarkable endure in monarchical networks. She has continued bouncing back.

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

The Daughters

Princess Eugenie at event
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice seen at a royal celebration in 2023

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

They will still be referred to as princesses, which they have been granted since birth.

There is also no change to the line of succession.

The prince stays eighth in line to the crown, followed by his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth place in that order.

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

Coming Opportunities

Beatrice and Eugenie are also presently non-working royals, and while they do sometimes accept positions – Princess Eugenie was recently named as a advisor for the monarch's charity program – commentators also suggest they "can't see a scenario" in which they would step up into royal duties.

"Regarding Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an appreciation of the reality that this scandal doesn't involve them, and it's unjust for it to impact them directly in the separate paths they are building for themselves," explains one royal commentator.

"Their daughters are particularly unlucky victims, they've had to suffer in silence and have been composed in their silence," states another royal author.

Final Impact

Ultimately, there appears to be minimal uncertainty that the person who will be most affected by these developments will be the Duke himself.

For someone who consistently enjoyed the royal privileges, the ceremony and the pageantry, the relinquishment of his honors is deeply humiliating.

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

Lauren Freeman
Lauren Freeman

A philosopher and writer passionate about exploring existential questions and sharing insights on modern thought.