How Prince Andrew's Removal of Titles Signifies for Sarah Ferguson, Beatrice and Eugenie
The Duke's removal from the last vestiges of monarchical duties has not only altered his path - it's creating waves through his immediate relatives too.
Fergie's New Status
His ex-wife has now lost her duchess title and will simply be known as Sarah Ferguson.
For Sarah, 66, the transition will be the most visible.
For all these years, she has maintained the honorary royal divorcee title Sarah, York Duchess. Currently, she returns to her birth name of Ferguson.
"She will have lost a certain prestige over this," noted one monarchy expert. "She definitely does use the title – even her Twitter bio is @SarahTheDuchess."
But the relinquishment of her status may affect her much less than the scandal she's dealing with independently about her own links with the convicted financier.
Last month, several charities dropped her as patron after correspondence from over a decade ago revealed that she called Epstein her "supreme friend" and appeared to express regret for her negative comments of him.
Business Ventures and Philanthropy
Away from her philanthropy, Ferguson also has various business ventures.
And these ventures, are more likely to be affected by the Epstein controversy than any alteration in status, says one royal commentator.
But Ferguson has been a great survivor in royal circles. She's kept recovering strongly.
"She is the ultimate survivor and master of reinvention," commented one royal author.
The Daughters
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 entitled to since their birth.
There is also 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 place in that order.
But in reality their standing are "distant" and will likely become even more remote as time goes on.
Future Prospects
Beatrice and Eugenie are also currently non-working royals, and while they occasionally accept positions – The younger princess was recently announced as a mentor for the King's Foundation program – experts also suggest they "can't see a scenario" in which they would advance into official responsibilities.
"Regarding Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an understanding of the reality that this controversy isn't about them, and it's not fair for it to affect them personally in the separate paths they are carving out for themselves," explains one monarchy analyst.
"Their daughters are most unfortunate affected parties, they've had to endure quietly and have been dignified in their reserve," adds another royal author.
Ultimate Consequences
Ultimately, there seems to be little doubt 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.
Therefore lacking those, on a personal level, will significantly count.