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

York Family Members

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

Fergie's New Status

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

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

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

"She will have lost a bit of cachet over this," noted one royal commentator. "She definitely utilizes the title – including her Twitter bio is @TheDuchessSarah."

But the loss of her title may impact her much less than the scandal she's dealing with independently about her own links with Jeffrey Epstein.

Last month, several charities removed her as patron after correspondence from over a decade ago revealed that she called Epstein her "greatest ally" and seemed to apologise for her negative comments of him.

Professional Endeavors and Philanthropy

Separate from her philanthropy, Ferguson also has various business ventures.

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

But Ferguson has been a remarkable endure in monarchical networks. She's kept recovering strongly.

"She is the ultimate survivor and expert at transforming," said one monarchy writer.

The Daughters

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

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

They continue to be referred to as princesses, which they have been granted since their birth.

Additionally there is no modification to the royal succession order.

Andrew remains eighth position to the throne, succeeded by his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth place in that order.

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 currently non-official royals, and while they do sometimes accept positions – Princess Eugenie was recently announced as a advisor for the King's Foundation program – commentators also say they "can't see a world" in which they would step up into official responsibilities.

"As far as 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 independent lives they are building for themselves," says one royal commentator.

"Their daughters are most unfortunate victims, they've had to suffer in silence and have been composed in their silence," 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 always liked the trappings of royalty, the ceremony and the ceremony, the loss of his titles is deeply humiliating.

Therefore lacking those, on a personal level, will really matter.

Kenneth Brooks
Kenneth Brooks

Automotive enthusiast and expert with over a decade of experience in car sales and market analysis.