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

York Family Members

Prince Andrew's exit from the final remnants of monarchical duties has not only altered his path - it's creating waves through his family too.

Sarah Ferguson's New Status

The former spouse has now lost her duchess title and will now be referred to as Sarah Ferguson.

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

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

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

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

Recently, multiple organizations dropped her as patron after an email from over a decade ago showed that she referred to Epstein her "greatest ally" 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 likely to be affected by the Epstein controversy than any alteration in status, says one royal commentator.

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

"She is the ultimate survivor and expert at transforming," said one royal author.

The Princesses

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

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

They continue to 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 position to the crown, followed by his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth position in that order.

But in practice their standing are "low down" and will probably become much further down as years pass.

Future Prospects

The princesses are also currently non-working royals, and while they occasionally accept positions – Princess Eugenie was recently named as a advisor for the monarch's charity program – commentators also say they "don't envision a scenario" in which they would step up into official responsibilities.

"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an appreciation of the reality 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 affected parties, they've had to suffer in silence and have been composed in their silence," adds another monarchy writer.

Ultimate Consequences

Ultimately, there appears to be minimal uncertainty that the individual who will be most affected by all of this will be Prince Andrew himself.

For a man who consistently enjoyed the trappings of royalty, the ceremony and the ceremony, the relinquishment of his honors is deeply humiliating.

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

Steven Ortega DDS
Steven Ortega DDS

A tech enthusiast and writer passionate about exploring how emerging technologies shape human experiences and societal trends.