How the Duke's Removal of Titles Means for Sarah Ferguson, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie
The Duke's removal from the final remnants of royal life has not only altered his path - it's creating waves through his immediate relatives too.
Sarah Ferguson's Title Change
The former spouse has now surrendered her ducal status and will simply be known as Sarah Ferguson.
For Sarah, sixty-six, the transition will be the most apparent.
For all these years, she has kept the courtesy royal divorcee title Sarah, York Duchess. Now, she reverts to her maiden name of Ferguson.
"She has lost a bit of cachet over this," noted one royal commentator. "She certainly does use the title – including her social media profile is @TheDuchessSarah."
But the loss of her title may impact her much less than the controversy she's facing separately about her own connections to the convicted financier.
Recently, multiple organizations dropped her as patron after an email from over a decade ago revealed that she called Epstein her "supreme friend" and appeared to express regret for her public criticism of him.
Professional Endeavors and Charity Work
Away from her charitable activities, Ferguson also has various business ventures.
And these ventures, are more likely 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 expert at transforming," commented one royal author.
The Princesses
For Andrew and Sarah's offspring, Beatrice, thirty-seven, 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 change to the royal succession order.
Andrew remains eighth position to the crown, followed by his children Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth position in that order.
But in practice their positions are "distant" and will probably become even more remote as time goes on.
Coming Opportunities
Beatrice and Eugenie are also currently non-official royals, and while they occasionally take on roles – The younger princess was recently announced as a mentor for the King's Foundation program – commentators also say they "can't see 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 scandal isn't about them, and it's not fair for it to impact them personally in the separate paths they are building for themselves," explains one royal commentator.
"The princesses are most unfortunate victims, they've had to endure quietly and have been dignified in their reserve," states another royal author.
Final Impact
Ultimately, there appears to be minimal uncertainty that the person who will be most impacted by these developments will be the Duke himself.
For a man who consistently enjoyed the trappings of royalty, the pomp and the ceremony, the relinquishment of his honors is deeply humiliating.
So to not have these, on a individual basis, will really matter.