What Prince Andrew's Removal of Titles Signifies for Fergie, Beatrice and Eugenie
The Duke's removal from the last vestiges of royal life has not only reshaped his future - it's sending ripples through his immediate relatives too.
Fergie's Title Change
The former spouse has now surrendered her ducal status and will now be referred to as Sarah Ferguson.
For Ferguson, 66, the transition will be the most apparent.
Throughout this period, she has kept the courtesy royal post-marital designation Sarah, York Duchess. Currently, she reverts to her maiden name of Ferguson.
"She has lost a certain prestige over this," said one monarchy expert. "She definitely utilizes the title – including her social media profile is @TheDuchessSarah."
But the loss of her title may impact her much less than the scandal she's dealing with independently about her own links with Jeffrey Epstein.
Recently, several charities removed her as ambassador after correspondence from over a decade ago revealed that she referred to Epstein her "supreme friend" and seemed to apologise for her negative comments of him.
Business Ventures and Charity Work
Separate from her philanthropy, Ferguson also has multiple commercial enterprises.
And these, too, are more likely to be affected by the Epstein controversy than any change in title, notes one monarchy analyst.
But Ferguson has been a remarkable endure in royal circles. She's kept bouncing back.
"She's the supreme perseverer and master of reinvention," commented one royal author.
The Princesses
For Andrew and Sarah's two daughters, Beatrice, thirty-seven, and Eugenie, 35, there's no formal change.
They continue to be known as princesses, which they have been entitled to since birth.
Additionally there is 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 probably 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 named as a mentor for the King's Foundation program – experts also say they "can't see a scenario" 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 isn't about them, and it's unjust for it to affect them directly in the separate paths they are carving out for themselves," explains one monarchy analyst.
"The princesses are most unfortunate affected parties, they've had to suffer in silence and have been composed in their silence," states another monarchy writer.
Final Impact
In the end, there seems to be little doubt that the person who will be most impacted by all of this will be the Duke himself.
For someone who always liked the trappings of royalty, the ceremony and the pageantry, the relinquishment of his honors is deeply humiliating.
So to not have these, on a individual basis, will significantly count.