How the Duke's Titles Loss Signifies for Sarah Ferguson, Beatrice and Eugenie
Prince Andrew's exit from the last vestiges of royal life has not only altered his path - it's creating waves through his immediate relatives too.
Fergie'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 apparent.
Throughout this period, she has maintained the honorary royal post-marital designation Sarah, Duchess of York. Currently, she reverts to her maiden name of Ferguson.
"She has lost a bit of cachet over this," noted one royal commentator. "She certainly utilizes the title – including her Twitter bio is @TheDuchessSarah."
But the loss of her title may affect her much less than the controversy she's facing separately about her own connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
Recently, several charities dropped her as patron after correspondence from 2011 revealed that she called Epstein her "supreme friend" and seemed to apologise for her public criticism of him.
Professional Endeavors and Charity Work
Away from her philanthropy, Ferguson also has various business ventures.
And these ventures, are more probable to be impacted by the Epstein scandal than any change in title, notes one monarchy analyst.
But Ferguson has been a remarkable endure in royal circles. She has continued recovering strongly.
"She's the supreme perseverer and expert at transforming," commented one royal author.
The Princesses
For the couple's offspring, 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 birth.
There is also no change to the line of succession.
Andrew remains eighth position to the throne, succeeded by his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth position respectively.
But in practice their positions are "low down" and will likely become much further down as years pass.
Future Prospects
Beatrice and Eugenie are also presently non-working royals, and while they do sometimes accept positions – Princess Eugenie was recently named as a advisor for the monarch's charity network – experts also suggest they "can't see a world" in which they would advance into royal duties.
"Regarding Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an understanding of the reality that this scandal doesn't involve them, and it's unjust for it to impact them directly in the separate paths they are carving out for themselves," explains one royal commentator.
"Their daughters are most unfortunate victims, they've had to endure quietly and have been dignified in their silence," adds another monarchy writer.
Ultimate Consequences
In the end, there appears to be little doubt that the individual who will be most affected by these developments will be the Duke himself.
For someone who always liked the trappings of royalty, the ceremony and the pageantry, the loss of his titles is deeply humiliating.
Therefore lacking these, on a individual basis, will really matter.