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

York Family Members

Prince Andrew's removal from the last vestiges of royal life has not only altered his path - it's sending ripples through his immediate relatives too.

Fergie's New Status

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

For Ferguson, sixty-six, the change will be the most apparent.

Throughout this period, she has maintained the honorary royal divorcee title Sarah, Duchess of York. Now, she reverts to her maiden name of Ferguson.

"She has lost a certain prestige over this," noted one royal commentator. "She certainly utilizes the title – even her social media profile is @TheDuchessSarah."

But the loss of her title may impact her much less than the controversy she's facing separately about her own links with Jeffrey Epstein.

Recently, several charities 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 negative comments of him.

Business Ventures and Philanthropy

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

And these, too, are more probable to be affected by the Epstein scandal than any alteration in status, says one royal commentator.

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

"She's the ultimate survivor and master of reinvention," commented one monarchy writer.

The Princesses

Princess Beatrice at event
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice pictured at a Coronation Big Lunch in 2023

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

They continue to be referred to as royal princesses, which they have been granted since birth.

There is also no change to the royal succession order.

Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne, succeeded by his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth place in that order.

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

Future Prospects

The princesses are also presently non-official royals, and while they occasionally take on roles – The younger princess was recently named as a mentor for the monarch's charity network – experts also say they "can't see a scenario" in which they would step up into official responsibilities.

"Regarding Beatrice and Eugenie are concerned, I think there's an understanding of the fact that this controversy isn't about them, and it's unjust for it to affect them personally in the independent lives they are building 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 silence," adds another monarchy writer.

Final Impact

Ultimately, there seems to be little doubt that the person who will be most affected by all of this will be Prince Andrew himself.

For someone who always liked the trappings of royalty, the pomp and the ceremony, the loss of his titles is profoundly embarrassing.

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

Shawn Huffman
Shawn Huffman

A passionate mixed-media artist and educator, sharing techniques and stories to inspire creativity in others.