What the Duke's Removal of Titles Signifies for Fergie, Beatrice and Eugenie

York Family Figures

The Duke's exit from the final remnants of royal life has not only altered his path - it's sending ripples through his family too.

Sarah Ferguson's Title Change

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

For Ferguson, 66, the change will be the most apparent.

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

"She has lost a certain prestige over this," noted one royal commentator. "She definitely does use 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 connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

Last month, several charities removed her as ambassador after an email from 2011 showed that she called Epstein her "greatest ally" and seemed to apologise for her negative comments of him.

Professional Endeavors and Philanthropy

Separate from her charitable activities, Ferguson also has multiple commercial enterprises.

And these, too, are more likely to be impacted by the Epstein controversy than any change in title, notes one royal commentator.

But Ferguson has been a great survivor in royal circles. She's kept recovering strongly.

"She's the ultimate survivor and master of reinvention," commented one monarchy writer.

The Daughters

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

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

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

There is also no modification to the royal succession order.

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

But in reality their positions are "low down" and will probably become much further down as years pass.

Coming Opportunities

The princesses are also currently non-working royals, and while they occasionally take on roles – Princess Eugenie was recently named as a advisor for the monarch's charity network – experts also say they "don't envision a scenario" in which they would advance into royal duties.

"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an understanding of the reality that this controversy 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," says one monarchy analyst.

"Their daughters are most unfortunate affected parties, they've had to endure quietly and have been dignified in their reserve," states another royal author.

Ultimate Consequences

In the end, there appears to be minimal uncertainty that the person who will be most affected by these developments will be the Duke himself.

For someone who always liked the trappings of royalty, the pomp and the ceremony, the loss of his titles is profoundly embarrassing.

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

Michael Pearson
Michael Pearson

Blockchain enthusiast and financial analyst with a passion for demystifying crypto trends for everyday investors.