What Prince Andrew's Removal of Titles Means for Fergie, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

Royal Family Members

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

Fergie's New Status

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

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

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 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 impact her much less than the scandal she's facing separately about her own links with the convicted financier.

Last month, several charities removed her as ambassador after correspondence from 2011 revealed that she called Epstein her "supreme friend" and appeared to express regret for her negative comments of him.

Professional Endeavors and Charity Work

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

And these, too, are more likely to be impacted by the Epstein controversy than any change in title, says one monarchy analyst.

But Ferguson has been a remarkable endure in monarchical networks. 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 Eugenie and Princess Eugenie pictured at a Coronation Big Lunch in 2023

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

They continue to be known as royal 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 practice their standing are "distant" and will probably become even more remote as time goes on.

Coming Opportunities

Beatrice and Eugenie are also presently non-official 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 world" in which they would step up into official responsibilities.

"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie are concerned, I think there's an understanding of the fact that this controversy doesn't involve them, and it's not fair for it to affect them personally in the independent lives they are building for themselves," says one royal commentator.

"Their daughters are most unfortunate affected parties, they've had to suffer in silence and have been composed in their silence," states another monarchy writer.

Ultimate Consequences

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

For a man who always liked the trappings of royalty, the pomp and the pageantry, the relinquishment of his honors is deeply humiliating.

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

Jacqueline Jimenez
Jacqueline Jimenez

Travel enthusiast and automotive expert sharing insights on car rentals and Italian travel tips.