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

Royal Family Figures

The Duke's exit from the last vestiges of monarchical duties has not only altered his path - it's sending ripples through his family too.

Sarah Ferguson's Title Change

His ex-wife 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 divorcee title Sarah, York Duchess. Currently, she returns to her maiden name of Ferguson.

"She will have lost a certain prestige over this," said one monarchy expert. "She certainly does use the title – even her Twitter bio is @SarahTheDuchess."

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

Recently, several charities removed her as patron after correspondence from 2011 revealed 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 philanthropy, Ferguson also has multiple commercial enterprises.

And these ventures, are more probable to be affected by the Epstein scandal than any alteration in status, notes one royal commentator.

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 Daughters

Princess Beatrice during occasion
Princess Eugenie and Princess Eugenie seen at a royal celebration in last year

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

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

Additionally there is no modification to the line of succession.

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

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

Future Prospects

Beatrice and Eugenie are also presently non-official royals, and while they occasionally take on roles – Princess Eugenie was recently announced as a advisor for the monarch's charity program – experts also say they "can't see a scenario" in which they would advance into royal duties.

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

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

Ultimate Consequences

In the end, there seems to be little doubt that the person who will be most affected by these developments will be the Duke himself.

For a man who consistently enjoyed the trappings of royalty, the ceremony and the ceremony, the loss of his titles is profoundly embarrassing.

Therefore lacking these, on a individual basis, will really matter.

Nicole Sparks
Nicole Sparks

A seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience covering political and social issues across Europe.