How the Duke's Titles Loss Means for Fergie, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie

Royal Family Figures

The Duke's removal from the final remnants of royal life has not only altered his path - it's creating waves through his family too.

Fergie's Title Change

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

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

For all these years, she has kept the courtesy royal post-marital designation Sarah, York Duchess. Currently, she reverts to her birth name of Ferguson.

"She has lost a bit of cachet over this," noted one monarchy expert. "She definitely utilizes the title – including her social media profile is @TheDuchessSarah."

But the loss of her title may affect her much less than the controversy she's facing separately about her own links with the convicted financier.

Last month, several charities dropped her as patron after an email from 2011 showed that she referred to Epstein her "supreme friend" and seemed to apologise for her public criticism of him.

Business Ventures and Charity Work

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 change in title, says one royal commentator.

But Ferguson has been a great survivor in monarchical networks. She's kept recovering strongly.

"She's the supreme perseverer and master of reinvention," said one royal author.

The Princesses

Princess Beatrice during occasion
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie pictured at a royal celebration in 2023

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

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

Additionally there is no modification to the line of succession.

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

But in reality their standing are "low down" and will probably become even more remote as years pass.

Coming Opportunities

Beatrice and Eugenie are also currently non-official royals, and while they do sometimes take on roles – Princess Eugenie was recently announced as a mentor for the King's Foundation program – experts also say they "don't envision a scenario" in which they would advance into royal duties.

"Regarding Beatrice and Eugenie are concerned, I think there's an appreciation of the fact that this controversy isn't about them, and it's unjust for it to impact them directly in the separate paths they are building for themselves," says one royal commentator.

"The princesses are particularly unlucky affected parties, they've had to suffer in silence and have been dignified in their silence," adds another royal author.

Ultimate Consequences

Ultimately, there seems to be minimal uncertainty that the person who will be most affected by all of this will be the Duke himself.

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

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

Cassandra Boyle
Cassandra Boyle

A passionate horticulturist with over a decade of experience in organic gardening and landscape design.