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

Royal Family Figures

The Duke's exit from the final remnants of royal life has not only reshaped his future - it's creating waves through his family too.

Sarah Ferguson's New Status

His ex-wife has now surrendered her ducal status and will simply be known as Sarah Ferguson.

For Sarah, sixty-six, the change will be the most apparent.

For all these years, she has maintained the honorary royal divorcee title Sarah, Duchess of York. Currently, she returns to her birth name of Ferguson.

"She will have lost a certain prestige over this," noted one monarchy expert. "She certainly utilizes the title – including her Twitter bio is @SarahTheDuchess."

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, multiple organizations removed her as patron after an email from over a decade ago revealed that she referred to Epstein her "supreme friend" and seemed to apologise for her negative comments of him.

Professional Endeavors and Philanthropy

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

And these, too, are more probable to be affected by the Epstein controversy than any alteration in status, says one monarchy analyst.

But Ferguson has been a remarkable endure in monarchical networks. She's kept bouncing back.

"She's the ultimate survivor and expert at transforming," said one royal author.

The Daughters

Princess Eugenie during occasion
Princess Eugenie and Princess Eugenie seen at a royal celebration in 2023

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

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

Additionally there is no modification to the line of succession.

The prince stays eighth in line to the crown, succeeded by his children Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth position respectively.

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

Future Prospects

The princesses are also presently non-working royals, and while they do sometimes take on roles – Princess Eugenie was recently announced as a mentor for the King's Foundation network – commentators also say they "don't envision a scenario" in which they would advance into royal duties.

"Regarding Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an appreciation of the reality that this controversy isn't about them, and it's unjust for it to affect them directly in the independent lives they are building for themselves," explains one monarchy analyst.

"Their daughters are particularly unlucky affected parties, they've had to suffer in silence and have been composed in their silence," adds another royal author.

Final Impact

Ultimately, there appears to be little doubt that the person who will be most affected by all of this will be the Duke himself.

For someone who always liked the trappings of royalty, the ceremony and the pageantry, the relinquishment of his honors is profoundly embarrassing.

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

Laura Patton
Laura Patton

A passionate writer and productivity enthusiast sharing tips and stories to inspire others.