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

Royal Family Figures

Prince Andrew's removal from the final remnants of monarchical duties has not only reshaped his future - it's sending ripples through his family too.

Fergie's Title Change

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

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

For all these years, she has maintained the honorary royal divorcee title Sarah, York Duchess. Currently, she returns to her birth name of Ferguson.

"She will have lost a certain prestige over this," noted one royal commentator. "She definitely does use the title – including her Twitter bio is @TheDuchessSarah."

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

Recently, multiple organizations dropped her as patron after an email from 2011 revealed that she called Epstein her "greatest ally" and appeared to express regret for her public criticism of him.

Business Ventures and Charity Work

Away from her charitable activities, Ferguson also has multiple commercial enterprises.

And these, too, are more probable to be affected by the Epstein controversy than any change in title, notes one monarchy analyst.

But Ferguson has been a remarkable endure in monarchical networks. She's kept bouncing back.

"She is the ultimate survivor and expert at transforming," said one royal author.

The Daughters

Princess Eugenie during occasion
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie seen at a royal celebration in last year

For the couple's two daughters, Beatrice, thirty-seven, and Eugenie, 35, there's no formal change.

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

Additionally there is no modification to the line of succession.

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

But in reality their positions are "low down" and will likely become even more remote as time goes on.

Coming Opportunities

The princesses are also presently non-official royals, and while they occasionally take on roles – Princess Eugenie was recently named as a mentor for the King's Foundation 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 appreciation of the reality that this scandal isn't about them, and it's not fair 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 affected parties, they've had to endure quietly and have been dignified in their reserve," adds another royal author.

Ultimate Consequences

In the end, there seems to be minimal uncertainty that the person who will be most affected by all of this will be Prince Andrew himself.

For someone who consistently enjoyed the trappings of royalty, the pomp and the pageantry, the loss of his titles is profoundly embarrassing.

So to not have those, on a individual basis, will really matter.

Scott Vega
Scott Vega

A seasoned journalist and lifestyle writer, passionate about uncovering stories that matter in everyday life.