🔗 Share this article

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

Sarah Ferguson's New Status

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

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

For all these years, she has kept the courtesy royal divorcee title Sarah, York Duchess. Currently, she reverts to her maiden name of Ferguson.

"She has lost a certain prestige over this," noted one monarchy expert. "She definitely does use the title – including her social media profile is @TheDuchessSarah."

But the loss of her title may impact her much less than the scandal she's facing separately about her own connections to the convicted financier.

Recently, several charities removed her as patron after correspondence from 2011 revealed that she called Epstein her "greatest ally" and seemed to apologise for her public criticism of him.

Business Ventures and Philanthropy

Separate from her philanthropy, Ferguson also has multiple commercial enterprises.

And these, too, are more probable to be impacted by the Epstein scandal than any change in title, notes one monarchy analyst.

But Ferguson has been a great survivor in monarchical networks. She has continued recovering strongly.

"She is the supreme perseverer and master of reinvention," said one royal author.

The Princesses

For the couple's two daughters, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, there's no formal change.

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

Additionally there is no modification to the royal succession order.

The prince stays eighth position to the throne, followed by his children Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth position respectively.

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

Coming Opportunities

The princesses are also currently non-working royals, and while they occasionally accept positions – The younger princess was recently named as a mentor for the King's Foundation program – experts also suggest they "don't envision a scenario" in which they would advance into official responsibilities.

"Regarding Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an understanding of the reality that this scandal doesn't involve them, and it's not fair for it to affect them personally in the separate paths they are carving out for themselves," explains one royal commentator.

"Their daughters are particularly unlucky victims, they've had to endure quietly and have been composed in their reserve," states another monarchy writer.

Ultimate Consequences

Ultimately, there appears to be little doubt that the individual who will be most affected by these developments will be Prince Andrew himself.

For a man who consistently enjoyed the trappings of royalty, the ceremony and the pageantry, the loss of his titles is deeply humiliating.

Therefore lacking these, on a individual basis, will significantly count.