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

Royal Family Figures

Prince Andrew's removal from the last vestiges of royal life has not only altered his path - it's sending ripples through his family too.

Fergie's Title Change

His ex-wife has now lost her duchess title and will simply be known as Sarah Ferguson.

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

Throughout this period, she has maintained the honorary royal divorcee title Sarah, Duchess of York. Now, she returns to her birth name of Ferguson.

"She has lost a bit of cachet over this," noted one monarchy expert. "She certainly does use the title – including her Twitter bio is @TheDuchessSarah."

But the relinquishment of her status may affect her much less than the controversy she's dealing with independently about her own links with the convicted financier.

Last month, several charities removed her as ambassador after an email from over a decade ago showed that she referred to Epstein her "greatest ally" and appeared to express regret for her negative comments of him.

Professional Endeavors and Philanthropy

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 great survivor in monarchical networks. She has continued recovering strongly.

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

The Princesses

Princess Beatrice during occasion
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice seen at a Coronation Big Lunch in last year

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

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

Additionally there is no modification 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 respectively.

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

Coming Opportunities

The princesses are also currently non-official royals, and while they occasionally accept positions – Princess Eugenie was recently named as a advisor for the monarch's charity program – experts also say they "can't see a world" 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 scandal doesn't involve them, and it's not fair for it to impact them directly in the separate paths they are carving out for themselves," explains one monarchy analyst.

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

Ultimate Consequences

Ultimately, there appears to be little doubt that the person who will be most impacted by these developments will be the Duke himself.

For someone who always liked the trappings of royalty, the pomp and the pageantry, the relinquishment of his honors is deeply humiliating.

So to not have these, on a personal level, will really matter.

Sheila Collins
Sheila Collins

A passionate life coach and writer dedicated to helping others overcome obstacles and thrive in their personal and professional lives.

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