How Prince Andrew's Titles Loss Signifies for Fergie, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

Royal Family Figures

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

Fergie's New Status

His ex-wife has now surrendered her ducal status and will now be referred to as Sarah Ferguson.

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

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

"She will have lost a bit of cachet over this," noted one royal commentator. "She certainly 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 connections to the convicted financier.

Recently, several charities dropped her as ambassador after an email from 2011 revealed that she called Epstein her "greatest ally" and seemed to apologise for her negative comments of him.

Business Ventures and Philanthropy

Separate from her philanthropy, Ferguson also has multiple commercial enterprises.

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

But Ferguson has been a remarkable endure in monarchical networks. She has continued recovering strongly.

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

The Daughters

Princess Eugenie during occasion
Princess Eugenie and Princess Eugenie seen at a royal celebration in 2023

For Andrew and Sarah's two daughters, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, thirty-five, there's no formal change.

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

There is also no change to the line of succession.

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

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

Coming Opportunities

Beatrice and Eugenie are also currently non-working royals, and while they occasionally take on roles – Princess Eugenie was recently announced as a mentor for the King's Foundation network – 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 reality that this controversy isn't about them, and it's unjust for it to affect them personally in the independent lives they are carving out for themselves," says one monarchy analyst.

"Their daughters are most unfortunate victims, they've had to endure quietly and have been composed in their silence," adds another monarchy writer.

Ultimate Consequences

Ultimately, there appears to be little doubt that the individual who will be most impacted by these developments 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 profoundly embarrassing.

Therefore lacking these, on a individual basis, will really matter.

Michelle Howard
Michelle Howard

An Italian chef and food writer passionate about sharing traditional recipes and modern twists on classic dishes.