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

Royal Family Members

The Duke's removal from the last vestiges 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 lost her duchess title and will simply be known as Sarah Ferguson.

For Sarah, 66, the transition will be the most visible.

Throughout this period, she has kept the courtesy royal divorcee title Sarah, Duchess of York. Currently, she returns to her birth name of Ferguson.

"She has lost a certain prestige over this," said one royal commentator. "She definitely does use the title – even her social media profile is @TheDuchessSarah."

But the loss of her title may affect her much less than the scandal she's dealing with independently about her own connections to the convicted financier.

Last month, multiple organizations removed her as ambassador after an email from 2011 showed that she referred to Epstein her "supreme friend" and appeared to express regret for her public criticism of him.

Business Ventures and Philanthropy

Away from her charitable activities, Ferguson also has various business ventures.

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 monarchical networks. She has continued bouncing back.

"She's the supreme perseverer and expert at transforming," commented one monarchy writer.

The Daughters

Princess Beatrice at event
Princess Eugenie and Princess Eugenie pictured at a royal celebration in 2023

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

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

There is also no modification to the royal succession order.

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

But in reality their positions are "distant" and will likely become even more remote as years pass.

Coming Opportunities

The princesses are also presently non-working royals, and while they do sometimes take on roles – Princess Eugenie was recently announced as a advisor for the monarch's charity program – commentators also say they "can't see a world" in which they would advance into royal duties.

"Regarding Beatrice and Eugenie are concerned, I think there's an understanding of the fact 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 suffer in silence and have been dignified in their reserve," states another royal author.

Final Impact

Ultimately, there seems to be little doubt that the person 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 loss of his titles is deeply humiliating.

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

Adrienne Brown
Adrienne Brown

A passionate life coach and writer dedicated to helping others achieve their full potential through mindful living and practical advice.