How the Duke's Titles Loss Signifies for Sarah Ferguson, Beatrice and Eugenie

Royal Family Figures

The Duke's removal from the last vestiges of royal life has not only altered his path - it's creating waves through his family too.

Sarah Ferguson's New Status

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

For Ferguson, sixty-six, the transition will be the most apparent.

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

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

But the relinquishment of her status may impact her much less than the controversy she's dealing with independently about her own connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

Recently, multiple organizations removed her as patron after correspondence from over a decade ago revealed that she called Epstein her "supreme friend" and seemed to apologise for her public criticism of him.

Professional Endeavors and Philanthropy

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

And these, too, are more probable to be impacted by the Epstein controversy than any alteration in status, notes one royal commentator.

But Ferguson has been a remarkable endure in monarchical networks. She has continued bouncing back.

"She is the ultimate survivor and master of reinvention," said one monarchy writer.

The Princesses

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

For Andrew and Sarah's two daughters, Beatrice, thirty-seven, and Eugenie, thirty-five, there's no official alteration.

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

There is also no modification to the line of succession.

The prince stays eighth position to the throne, followed by his children Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth place respectively.

But in reality their standing are "distant" and will likely become much further down as time goes on.

Future Prospects

The princesses are also currently non-official royals, and while they do sometimes accept positions – Princess Eugenie was recently announced as a advisor for the monarch's charity network – commentators also suggest they "can't see a scenario" in which they would advance into official responsibilities.

"Regarding Beatrice and Eugenie are concerned, I think there's an understanding of the reality that this controversy isn't about them, and it's unjust for it to affect them personally in the separate paths they are carving out for themselves," explains one royal commentator.

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

Final Impact

Ultimately, there seems to be little doubt that the individual who will be most impacted by all of this will be the Duke himself.

For a man who always liked the royal privileges, the pomp and the ceremony, the loss of his titles is profoundly embarrassing.

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

Sarah Robinson
Sarah Robinson

Urban planner and writer passionate about creating livable, eco-friendly cities through innovative design and community engagement.