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

Royal Family Figures

Prince Andrew's exit 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 Title Change

The former spouse has now surrendered her ducal status and will simply be known as Sarah Ferguson.

For Ferguson, 66, the transition will be the most visible.

Throughout this period, she has kept the courtesy royal post-marital designation Sarah, Duchess of York. Currently, she reverts to her maiden name of Ferguson.

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

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, several charities dropped her as ambassador after an email from over a decade ago showed that she referred to Epstein her "supreme friend" and seemed to apologise for her public criticism 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 controversy than any alteration in status, says one royal commentator.

But Ferguson has been a great survivor in royal circles. She's kept recovering strongly.

"She's the supreme perseverer and master of reinvention," said one monarchy writer.

The Daughters

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

For Andrew and Sarah's offspring, Beatrice, thirty-seven, and Eugenie, 35, there's no official alteration.

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

Additionally there is no modification to the royal succession order.

The prince stays eighth position to the crown, followed by his children Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth place respectively.

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

Future Prospects

Beatrice and Eugenie are also currently non-official royals, and while they do sometimes accept positions – The younger princess was recently named as a advisor for the monarch's charity program – commentators also suggest they "don't envision a world" in which they would step up into royal duties.

"Regarding Beatrice and Eugenie go, 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 directly in the independent lives they are building for themselves," says one royal commentator.

"The princesses are particularly unlucky victims, they've had to endure quietly and have been composed in their silence," adds another monarchy writer.

Ultimate Consequences

In the end, there appears to be little doubt that the person who will be most impacted by these developments 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 profoundly embarrassing.

So to not have these, on a individual basis, will significantly count.

Michael Ramsey
Michael Ramsey

A Milan-based travel enthusiast and local guide with a passion for sharing the city's rich history and vibrant culture.