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

York Family Figures

Prince Andrew's removal from the final remnants of monarchical duties has not only reshaped his future - it's sending ripples through his family too.

Fergie'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 visible.

Throughout this period, she has kept the courtesy royal divorcee title Sarah, York Duchess. Now, she returns to her maiden name of Ferguson.

"She has lost a certain prestige over this," noted one royal commentator. "She definitely does use 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.

Recently, several charities removed her as patron after an email from over a decade ago revealed that she called Epstein her "supreme friend" and appeared to express regret for her public criticism of him.

Professional Endeavors and Charity Work

Separate from her philanthropy, Ferguson also has various business ventures.

And these, too, are more likely to be impacted by the Epstein controversy 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 ultimate survivor and expert at transforming," commented one monarchy writer.

The Princesses

Princess Eugenie during occasion
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie seen at a Coronation Big Lunch in 2023

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

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

There is also no modification to the royal succession order.

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

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

Future Prospects

Beatrice and Eugenie are also presently non-working royals, and while they do sometimes accept positions – The younger princess was recently announced as a advisor for the monarch's charity program – experts also say they "can't see a scenario" in which they would advance into royal duties.

"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie are concerned, I think there's an appreciation of the fact that this controversy doesn't involve them, and it's not fair for it to impact them directly in the separate paths they are carving out for themselves," explains one royal commentator.

"The princesses are most unfortunate victims, they've had to endure quietly and have been dignified in their silence," states another monarchy writer.

Final Impact

In the end, there appears to be minimal uncertainty that the person who will be most impacted by all of this will be the Duke himself.

For someone who consistently enjoyed the trappings of royalty, the pomp and the pageantry, the loss of his titles is profoundly embarrassing.

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

Karen Hawkins
Karen Hawkins

A dedicated cat advocate and writer based in Toronto, sharing years of experience in feline care and rescue.