How Prince Andrew's Removal of Titles Means for Sarah Ferguson, Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

Royal Family Figures

The Duke's removal from the last vestiges of monarchical duties has not only reshaped his future - it's creating waves through his family too.

Sarah Ferguson's New Status

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

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

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

"She has lost a bit of cachet over this," said 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 scandal she's facing separately about her own links with Jeffrey Epstein.

Last month, several charities removed her as ambassador after an email from 2011 revealed that she referred to Epstein her "greatest ally" and seemed to apologise for her public criticism of him.

Business Ventures and Philanthropy

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

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

But Ferguson has been a remarkable endure in royal circles. She has continued bouncing back.

"She's the ultimate survivor and master of reinvention," said one royal author.

The Princesses

Princess Eugenie at event
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie pictured at a royal celebration in 2023

For the couple's offspring, Beatrice, thirty-seven, and Eugenie, thirty-five, there's no formal change.

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

There is also no modification to the line of succession.

The prince stays eighth position to the crown, succeeded by his children Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth position in that order.

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

Future Prospects

Beatrice and Eugenie are also presently non-official royals, and while they do sometimes take on roles – Princess Eugenie was recently named as a mentor for the King's Foundation program – commentators also say they "can't see a scenario" in which they would step up into royal duties.

"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an understanding of the fact that this scandal doesn't involve them, and it's unjust for it to impact them personally in the independent lives they are carving out for themselves," explains one royal commentator.

"Their daughters are particularly unlucky victims, they've had to suffer in silence and have been composed in their silence," adds another monarchy writer.

Final Impact

Ultimately, there appears to be minimal uncertainty 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 pomp and the ceremony, the relinquishment of his honors is deeply humiliating.

Therefore lacking those, on a personal level, will significantly count.

Katherine Davis
Katherine Davis

A curious writer and lifelong learner passionate about uncovering hidden truths and sharing thought-provoking stories.