How the Duke's Removal of Titles Signifies for Sarah Ferguson, Beatrice and Princess Eugenie
The Duke's exit from the last vestiges of monarchical duties has not only reshaped his future - it's creating waves through his immediate relatives too.
Sarah Ferguson's Title Change
His ex-wife has now surrendered her ducal status and will simply be known as Sarah Ferguson.
For Ferguson, 66, the transition will be the most visible.
Throughout this period, she has maintained the honorary royal divorcee title Sarah, Duchess of York. Now, she returns to her birth name of Ferguson.
"She has lost a certain prestige over this," said one monarchy expert. "She definitely utilizes the title β even her social media profile is @TheDuchessSarah."
But the loss of her title may impact her much less than the scandal she's facing separately about her own links with Jeffrey Epstein.
Last month, multiple organizations 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.
Business Ventures and Charity Work
Away from her philanthropy, Ferguson also has multiple commercial enterprises.
And these ventures, are more likely to be affected by the Epstein scandal than any alteration in status, 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 royal author.
The Princesses
For Andrew and Sarah's two daughters, Beatrice, thirty-seven, and Eugenie, thirty-five, there's no official alteration.
They continue to be known as princesses, which they have been granted since their birth.
Additionally there is no modification to the royal succession order.
Andrew remains eighth position to the throne, followed by his children Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth position respectively.
But in practice their positions are "low down" and will likely become even more remote as time goes on.
Future Prospects
The princesses are also presently non-official royals, and while they do sometimes take on roles β The younger princess was recently announced as a mentor for the monarch's charity program β commentators also suggest they "can't see a scenario" in which they would step up into royal duties.
"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie are concerned, I think there's an understanding of the fact that this controversy isn't about them, and it's not fair for it to impact them directly in the independent lives they are carving out for themselves," says one royal commentator.
"The princesses are most unfortunate victims, they've had to suffer in silence and have been composed in their reserve," adds another royal author.
Ultimate Consequences
In the end, there seems to be minimal uncertainty that the individual who will be most affected by these developments will be Prince Andrew himself.
For someone who always liked 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 significantly count.