How Prince Andrew's Removal of Titles Means for Sarah Ferguson, Beatrice and Eugenie
Prince Andrew'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 New Status
The former spouse 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.
Throughout this period, she has kept the courtesy royal post-marital designation Sarah, Duchess of York. Currently, she reverts to her maiden name of Ferguson.
"She will have lost a certain prestige over this," said one monarchy expert. "She certainly utilizes the title – even her social media profile is @SarahTheDuchess."
But the loss of her title may affect her much less than the scandal she's facing separately about her own connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
Last month, several charities dropped her as patron after correspondence from 2011 revealed that she referred to Epstein her "supreme friend" and appeared to express regret for her public criticism of him.
Business Ventures and Philanthropy
Separate from her philanthropy, Ferguson also has multiple commercial enterprises.
And these ventures, are more probable to be affected by the Epstein controversy than any change in title, says one royal commentator.
But Ferguson has been a great survivor in royal circles. She has continued bouncing back.
"She's the supreme perseverer and master of reinvention," commented one monarchy writer.
The Daughters
For the couple's offspring, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, thirty-five, there's no formal change.
They will still be referred to as royal princesses, which they have been granted since birth.
There is also no change to the royal succession order.
Andrew remains eighth position to the throne, followed by his children Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth place in that order.
But in practice their positions are "distant" and will probably become much further down as time goes on.
Coming Opportunities
The princesses are also currently non-working royals, and while they do sometimes take on roles – Princess Eugenie was recently named as a mentor for the monarch's charity program – commentators also suggest they "can't see a scenario" in which they would advance into royal duties.
"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie are concerned, I think there's an appreciation of the reality that this controversy isn't about them, and it's unjust for it to affect them directly in the independent lives they are carving out for themselves," says one monarchy analyst.
"The princesses are most unfortunate victims, they've had to endure quietly and have been composed in their reserve," adds another royal author.
Final Impact
Ultimately, there seems to be minimal uncertainty that the person who will be most affected by all of this will be Prince Andrew himself.
For someone who consistently enjoyed the trappings of royalty, the ceremony and the ceremony, the relinquishment of his honors is deeply humiliating.
Therefore lacking these, on a personal level, will significantly count.