How Prince Andrew's Titles Loss Means for Sarah Ferguson, Beatrice and Eugenie
The Duke's removal from the last vestiges of monarchical duties has not only altered his path - it's sending ripples through his immediate relatives too.
Fergie's Title Change
His ex-wife has now surrendered her ducal status and will now be referred to as Sarah Ferguson.
For Ferguson, 66, the change will be the most apparent.
Throughout this period, she has kept the courtesy royal divorcee title Sarah, Duchess of York. Now, she reverts to her birth name of Ferguson.
"She has lost a bit of cachet over this," said one royal commentator. "She certainly utilizes the title – even her social media profile is @TheDuchessSarah."
But the loss of her title may impact her much less than the controversy she's dealing with independently about her own connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
Recently, multiple organizations dropped her as ambassador after an email from 2011 showed that she called Epstein her "supreme friend" and appeared to express regret for her public criticism 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, says one royal commentator.
But Ferguson has been a great survivor in royal circles. She's kept bouncing back.
"She's the ultimate survivor and master of reinvention," commented one monarchy writer.
The Princesses
For Andrew and Sarah'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 entitled to since their birth.
There is also no change to the royal succession order.
Andrew remains eighth in line to the crown, followed by his children Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth position in that order.
But in reality their positions are "low down" and will probably become even more remote as years pass.
Coming Opportunities
Beatrice and Eugenie are also currently non-working royals, and while they occasionally take on roles – The younger princess was recently announced as a advisor for the King's Foundation program – experts also say 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 controversy isn't about them, and it's unjust for it to impact them directly in the separate paths they are carving out for themselves," explains one monarchy analyst.
"Their daughters are most unfortunate affected parties, they've had to endure quietly and have been dignified in their silence," 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 Prince Andrew himself.
For a man who consistently enjoyed the trappings of royalty, the ceremony and the ceremony, the relinquishment of his honors is profoundly embarrassing.
Therefore lacking those, on a individual basis, will significantly count.