How Prince Andrew's Titles Loss Signifies for Sarah Ferguson, Beatrice and Princess Eugenie
Prince Andrew's removal from the last vestiges of monarchical duties has not only altered his path - it's sending ripples through his family too.
Fergie's New Status
His ex-wife has now surrendered her ducal status and will simply be known as Sarah Ferguson.
For Ferguson, sixty-six, the change will be the most apparent.
For all these years, she has kept the courtesy royal divorcee title Sarah, Duchess of York. Currently, she returns to her maiden name of Ferguson.
"She has lost a certain prestige over this," said one monarchy expert. "She certainly does use the title – including her social media profile is @TheDuchessSarah."
But the relinquishment of her status may affect her much less than the scandal she's dealing with independently about her own connections to the convicted financier.
Last month, several charities dropped her as patron after an email from 2011 revealed that she referred to Epstein her "supreme friend" and appeared to express regret for her public criticism of him.
Professional Endeavors and Charity Work
Away from her philanthropy, Ferguson also has various business ventures.
And these, too, are more likely to be affected by the Epstein controversy than any alteration in status, says one royal commentator.
But Ferguson has been a great survivor in royal circles. She has continued recovering strongly.
"She is the supreme perseverer and master of reinvention," commented one monarchy writer.
The Daughters
For Andrew and Sarah'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 their birth.
There is also no modification to the royal succession order.
Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne, succeeded by his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth position respectively.
But in reality their standing are "low down" and will probably become even more remote as years pass.
Future Prospects
The princesses are also presently non-official royals, and while they do sometimes take on roles – The younger princess 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 step up into official responsibilities.
"Regarding Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an understanding of the fact that this scandal doesn't involve them, and it's not fair for it to affect them personally in the separate paths they are building for themselves," says one royal commentator.
"Their daughters are most unfortunate affected parties, they've had to suffer in silence and have been composed in their reserve," adds another royal author.
Ultimate Consequences
Ultimately, there appears to be little doubt that the person who will be most impacted by these developments will be Prince Andrew himself.
For a man who always liked the trappings of royalty, the pomp and the pageantry, the loss of his titles is profoundly embarrassing.
So to not have these, on a individual basis, will significantly count.