Prince Andrew’s removal from royal privileges has reshaped not only his future but also that of his family. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, has lost her duchess title and will now be known simply by her maiden name. Their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, retain their titles but continue to face the shadow of scandal surrounding their parents.
Andrew’s Duke of York title was withdrawn due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
Impact on Sarah Ferguson
For Sarah Ferguson, 66, the change is most noticeable. She previously used the title “Sarah, Duchess of York” after her divorce but must now revert to Sarah Ferguson.
Royal commentator Richard Palmer noted that the title loss diminishes her prestige, as she frequently used it publicly, even in her social media handles.
However, experts say her ongoing Epstein-related controversy—after an email surfaced referring to Epstein as her “supreme friend”—may affect her reputation far more than the loss of her royal title. Several charities have already dropped her as patron or ambassador.
Royal analyst Victoria Murphy added that Ferguson’s business ventures could also suffer, as organizations may hesitate to associate with her following the scandal.
Despite setbacks, Ferguson has a history of bouncing back. Although she divorced Prince Andrew over three decades ago, she continues to live on his Windsor estate and remains close to the royal family. She even attended a royal Christmas gathering at Sandringham recently—the first in decades.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl described Ferguson as “the ultimate survivor and master of reinvention,” noting that both the late Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III have shown her kindness. Nicholl believes she has endured “worse” and won’t be deeply affected by the loss of her title.
What About Beatrice and Eugenie?
Princesses Beatrice (37) and Eugenie (35) remain unaffected in terms of titles or royal standing. They retain their positions in the line of succession—ninth and twelfth, respectively—but these rankings hold little practical significance.
Both sisters are non-working royals, occasionally taking part in charitable roles, such as Eugenie’s mentorship with the King’s Foundation’s “35 under 35” initiative. However, experts see no scenario in which they would assume full-time royal duties.
“They’ve managed to stay untarnished,” said Nicholl, adding that while Prince Andrew will no longer attend Christmas at Sandringham, his daughters may still be invited.
Murphy emphasized that “the scandal doesn’t involve them,” and they’ve maintained dignity despite public scrutiny.
Ultimately, Prince Andrew himself faces the harshest consequences. Once fond of the grandeur of royal life, losing his titles marks a deep personal and public humiliation—a fall from grace that may define his remaining years.
