How the Duke's Titles Loss Means for Sarah Ferguson, Beatrice and Eugenie

York Family Figures

Prince Andrew's exit from the last vestiges of monarchical duties has not only reshaped his future - it's sending ripples through his family too.

Sarah Ferguson's New Status

His ex-wife has now lost her duchess title and will now be referred to as Sarah Ferguson.

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

For all these years, she has kept the courtesy royal post-marital designation Sarah, York Duchess. Currently, she reverts to her maiden name of Ferguson.

"She has lost a bit of cachet over this," noted one monarchy expert. "She definitely does use the title – even her Twitter bio is @TheDuchessSarah."

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

Last month, several charities removed her as ambassador after an email from over a decade ago revealed that she called Epstein her "supreme friend" and seemed to apologise for her public criticism of him.

Business Ventures and Charity Work

Away from her charitable activities, Ferguson also has multiple commercial enterprises.

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

But Ferguson has been a great survivor in monarchical networks. She's kept bouncing back.

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

The Daughters

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

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

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

There is also no change to the royal succession order.

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

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

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 mentor for the King's Foundation program – experts also suggest they "don't envision a world" in which they would advance into royal duties.

"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an understanding of the fact that this scandal isn't about them, and it's unjust for it to affect them directly in the separate paths they are carving out for themselves," says one royal commentator.

"Their daughters are most unfortunate victims, 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 minimal uncertainty that the person who will be most impacted by these developments will be the Duke himself.

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

So to not have these, on a personal level, will significantly count.

Daniel Taylor
Daniel Taylor

A passionate writer and life coach dedicated to helping others unlock their potential through mindful practices.