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

Royal Family Figures

The Duke's exit from the last vestiges of royal life has not only altered his path - it's sending ripples through his immediate relatives too.

Fergie's Title Change

The former spouse has now lost her duchess title and will now be referred to as Sarah Ferguson.

For Sarah, sixty-six, the change will be the most visible.

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

"She will have lost a certain prestige over this," noted one monarchy expert. "She definitely utilizes 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, multiple organizations dropped her as ambassador after correspondence 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 multiple commercial enterprises.

And these ventures, are more likely to be impacted by the Epstein scandal than any alteration in status, notes one monarchy analyst.

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

"She's the ultimate survivor and master of reinvention," said one royal author.

The Princesses

Princess Beatrice at event
Princess Beatrice and Princess Beatrice seen at a Coronation Big Lunch in 2023

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

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

There is also no change to the line of succession.

The prince stays eighth position to the crown, followed by his children 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.

Future Prospects

Beatrice and Eugenie are also currently non-working royals, and while they occasionally accept positions – Princess Eugenie was recently named as a advisor for the King's Foundation program – experts also suggest they "don't envision a scenario" in which they would step up into royal duties.

"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an understanding of the fact that this controversy isn't about them, and it's not fair for it to impact them personally in the independent lives they are carving out for themselves," explains one monarchy analyst.

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

Final Impact

In the end, there seems to be little doubt that the individual who will be most impacted by all of this 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.

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

Katherine Allison
Katherine Allison

A productivity consultant and writer with over a decade of experience in workplace optimization and time management strategies.