What Prince Andrew's Removal of Titles Signifies for Sarah Ferguson, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie
Prince Andrew's removal from the final remnants of royal life has not only reshaped his future - it's sending ripples through his family too.
Fergie's Title Change
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," said one royal commentator. "She certainly utilizes the title – including her Twitter bio is @TheDuchessSarah."
But the relinquishment of her status may affect her much less than the scandal she's facing separately about her own links with the convicted financier.
Recently, multiple organizations dropped her as ambassador after an email from over a decade ago showed that she referred to Epstein her "supreme friend" and seemed to apologise for her negative comments of him.
Professional Endeavors and Charity Work
Separate from her charitable activities, Ferguson also has various business ventures.
And these ventures, are more probable to be impacted by the Epstein scandal than any change in title, says one monarchy analyst.
But Ferguson has been a great survivor in royal circles. She has continued recovering strongly.
"She is the supreme perseverer and master of reinvention," commented one monarchy writer.
The Daughters
For the couple's offspring, Beatrice, thirty-seven, and Eugenie, thirty-five, there's no official alteration.
They continue to be known as royal princesses, which they have been granted since their birth.
There is also no change to the royal succession order.
Andrew remains eighth position to the throne, succeeded by his children Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth place respectively.
But in reality their positions are "distant" and will probably become much further down as years pass.
Coming Opportunities
The princesses are also presently non-official royals, and while they do sometimes accept positions – Princess Eugenie was recently announced as a advisor for the King's Foundation 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 fact that this scandal doesn't involve them, and it's unjust for it to impact them personally in the independent lives they are building for themselves," says one monarchy analyst.
"The princesses are most unfortunate victims, they've had to endure quietly and have been composed in their silence," states another royal author.
Final Impact
In the end, there appears to be minimal uncertainty that the individual who will be most affected by these developments will be the Duke himself.
For a man who always liked the royal privileges, the ceremony and the pageantry, the loss of his titles is profoundly embarrassing.
Therefore lacking these, on a personal level, will really matter.