How Prince Andrew's Titles Loss Means for Fergie, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

York Family Figures

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

Sarah Ferguson's New Status

His ex-wife 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.

For all these years, she has kept the courtesy royal divorcee title Sarah, Duchess of York. Now, she returns to her maiden name of Ferguson.

"She will have lost a certain prestige 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 affect her much less than the controversy she's dealing with independently about her own links with the convicted financier.

Last month, multiple organizations removed her as patron after an email from 2011 showed that she referred to Epstein her "greatest ally" and seemed to apologise for her public criticism of him.

Professional Endeavors and Philanthropy

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

And these ventures, are more probable to be affected by the Epstein scandal than any alteration in status, notes one monarchy analyst.

But Ferguson has been a great survivor in monarchical networks. She has continued bouncing back.

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

The Daughters

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

For the couple's two daughters, Beatrice, thirty-seven, and Eugenie, 35, there's no official alteration.

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

There is also no change to the line of succession.

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

But in practice their standing are "distant" and will probably become even more remote as time goes on.

Coming Opportunities

Beatrice and Eugenie are also currently non-official royals, and while they occasionally accept positions – The younger princess was recently announced as a advisor for the monarch's charity network – experts 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 understanding 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 carving out for themselves," says one royal commentator.

"The princesses are most unfortunate affected parties, they've had to suffer in silence and have been dignified in their reserve," states another royal author.

Ultimate Consequences

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

For someone who consistently enjoyed the trappings of royalty, the ceremony and the pageantry, the loss of his titles is deeply humiliating.

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

Lisa Neal
Lisa Neal

A seasoned sports journalist with over a decade of experience covering major leagues, known for insightful analysis and engaging storytelling.

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