What Prince Andrew's Titles Loss Means for Sarah Ferguson, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie
The Duke's exit from the final remnants of monarchical duties has not only altered his path - it's creating waves through his immediate relatives too.
Sarah Ferguson's Title Change
His ex-wife has now lost her duchess title and will simply be known as Sarah Ferguson.
For Sarah, 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 maiden name of Ferguson.
"She will have lost a bit of cachet over this," said one monarchy expert. "She certainly does use the title – even her social media profile is @TheDuchessSarah."
But the relinquishment of her status may affect her much less than the scandal she's facing separately about her own links with the convicted financier.
Recently, several charities removed her as patron after correspondence from over a decade ago showed that she called Epstein her "greatest ally" and seemed to apologise for her public criticism of him.
Professional Endeavors and Charity Work
Away from her charitable activities, Ferguson also has multiple commercial enterprises.
And these, too, are more probable to be impacted by the Epstein controversy than any change in title, notes one royal commentator.
But Ferguson has been a great survivor in monarchical networks. She's kept recovering strongly.
"She is the supreme perseverer and expert at transforming," commented one royal author.
The Daughters
For the couple's offspring, Beatrice, thirty-seven, and Eugenie, 35, there's no official alteration.
They continue to be known as princesses, which they have been granted since birth.
There is also no modification to the line of succession.
Andrew remains eighth position to the throne, succeeded by his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth position respectively.
But in reality their positions are "low down" and will likely become even more remote as time goes on.
Coming Opportunities
Beatrice and Eugenie are also currently non-working royals, and while they do sometimes take on roles – The younger princess was recently named as a advisor for the King's Foundation program – experts also say they "can't see a world" in which they would step up into official responsibilities.
"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie are concerned, I think there's an appreciation of the fact that this controversy isn't about them, and it's not fair for it to affect them directly 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 monarchy writer.
Ultimate Consequences
In the end, there appears to be little doubt that the individual who will be most impacted by all of this will be Prince Andrew himself.
For someone who always liked the trappings of royalty, the ceremony and the ceremony, the relinquishment of his honors is profoundly embarrassing.
Therefore lacking those, on a personal level, will really matter.