🔗 Share this article

The Duke's exit from the final remnants of monarchical duties has not only reshaped his future - it's sending ripples through his family too.

Fergie's Title Change

His ex-wife has now lost her duchess title 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, York Duchess. Currently, she reverts to her maiden name of Ferguson.

"She has lost a bit of cachet over this," noted one monarchy expert. "She definitely does use the title – even her Twitter bio is @SarahTheDuchess."

But the loss of her title may affect her much less than the scandal she's dealing with independently about her own connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

Recently, several charities dropped her as ambassador after an email from 2011 showed that she referred to Epstein her "greatest ally" and appeared to express regret for her public criticism of him.

Professional Endeavors and Philanthropy

Separate from her charitable activities, Ferguson also has various business ventures.

And these ventures, are more likely to be affected by the Epstein scandal than any change in title, says one royal commentator.

But Ferguson has been a great survivor in royal circles. She has continued recovering strongly.

"She is the ultimate survivor and master of reinvention," said one royal author.

The Princesses

For the couple's two daughters, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, there's no official alteration.

They continue to be referred to as princesses, which they have been entitled to since their birth.

There is also no modification to the line of succession.

Andrew remains eighth position to the throne, followed by his children Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth place respectively.

But in reality their positions are "low down" and will likely become much further down as years pass.

Coming Opportunities

The princesses are also presently non-official royals, and while they do sometimes accept positions – The younger princess was recently named as a mentor for the King's Foundation program – commentators also suggest they "don't envision a scenario" in which they would step up into official responsibilities.

"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie are concerned, I think there's an understanding of the fact that this scandal isn't about them, and it's not fair for it to affect them directly in the independent lives they are carving out for themselves," says one royal commentator.

"The princesses are particularly unlucky victims, they've had to endure quietly and have been dignified in their reserve," adds another monarchy writer.

Ultimate Consequences

In the end, there seems to be minimal uncertainty that the person 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 deeply humiliating.

So to not have those, on a individual basis, will really matter.