What the Duke's Removal of Titles Means for Fergie, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

Royal Family Figures

Prince Andrew's removal from the last vestiges of monarchical duties has not only altered his path - it's creating waves through his family too.

Fergie's New Status

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

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

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

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

But the loss of her title may impact her much less than the scandal she's dealing with independently about her own links with the convicted financier.

Recently, multiple organizations dropped her as patron after correspondence from over a decade ago revealed that she referred to 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 ventures, are more probable to be affected by the Epstein scandal than any alteration in status, notes one royal commentator.

But Ferguson has been a great survivor in monarchical networks. She has continued recovering strongly.

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

The Princesses

Princess Beatrice during occasion
Princess Eugenie and Princess Eugenie 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 modification to the royal succession order.

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

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

Future Prospects

The princesses are also presently non-working royals, and while they do sometimes take on roles – The younger princess was recently named as a mentor for the monarch's charity network – experts also say they "don't envision a scenario" in which they would advance into official responsibilities.

"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an appreciation of the fact that this scandal isn't about them, and it's unjust for it to impact them directly in the independent lives they are building for themselves," says one monarchy analyst.

"Their daughters are most unfortunate affected parties, they've had to endure quietly and have been composed in their reserve," adds another monarchy writer.

Final Impact

Ultimately, there seems to be little doubt that the person who will be most impacted by all of this will be the Duke himself.

For a man who always liked the trappings of royalty, the ceremony and the ceremony, the loss of his titles is deeply humiliating.

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

Kaylee Price
Kaylee Price

A tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for demystifying complex innovations and sharing practical insights.