What the Duke's Removal of Titles Means for Fergie, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie

Royal Family Members

Prince Andrew's removal from the final remnants of royal life has not only altered his path - it's sending ripples 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, sixty-six, the transition will be the most visible.

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

"She has lost a bit of cachet over this," noted one royal commentator. "She certainly utilizes the title – even her Twitter bio is @SarahTheDuchess."

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 removed her as ambassador after an email from 2011 revealed 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 multiple commercial enterprises.

And these, too, are more likely to be impacted by the Epstein controversy than any change in title, says one royal commentator.

But Ferguson has been a great survivor in royal circles. She has continued bouncing back.

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

The Princesses

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

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

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

Additionally there is no change to the line of succession.

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

But in reality their standing are "distant" and will likely become even more remote as time goes on.

Coming Opportunities

Beatrice and Eugenie are also presently non-official royals, and while they do sometimes take on roles – The younger princess was recently announced as a advisor for the King's Foundation network – commentators also suggest they "can't see a world" in which they would advance into royal duties.

"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie are concerned, I think there's an understanding of the reality that this scandal doesn't involve them, and it's unjust for it to affect them personally in the independent lives they are carving out for themselves," explains one monarchy analyst.

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

Ultimate Consequences

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

For a man 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 personal level, will significantly count.

Mark Fox
Mark Fox

A tech enthusiast and digital strategist with over a decade of experience in emerging technologies and innovation.