What the Duke's Removal of Titles Signifies for Fergie, Beatrice and Princess Eugenie
The Duke's exit from the last vestiges of monarchical duties has not only reshaped his future - it's sending ripples through his family too.
Sarah Ferguson's New Status
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 apparent.
Throughout this period, she has maintained the honorary royal divorcee title Sarah, York Duchess. Currently, she returns to her maiden name of Ferguson.
"She has lost a certain prestige over this," said one royal commentator. "She certainly utilizes the title – even her social media profile is @TheDuchessSarah."
But the loss of her title may impact her much less than the controversy she's facing separately about her own connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
Recently, several charities dropped her as ambassador after an email from 2011 revealed that she called Epstein her "supreme friend" and appeared to express regret for her public criticism of him.
Professional Endeavors and Charity Work
Separate from her charitable activities, Ferguson also has various business ventures.
And these ventures, are more likely to be impacted by the Epstein scandal than any alteration in status, notes one royal commentator.
But Ferguson has been a great survivor in monarchical networks. She has continued bouncing back.
"She's the ultimate survivor and master of reinvention," commented one monarchy writer.
The Daughters
For Andrew and Sarah's offspring, Beatrice, thirty-seven, and Eugenie, thirty-five, there's no formal change.
They will still be referred to as princesses, which they have been granted since their birth.
Additionally there is no modification to the royal succession order.
Andrew remains eighth position to the throne, succeeded by his children Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth place in that order.
But in practice their standing are "low down" and will probably become much further down as time goes on.
Coming Opportunities
Beatrice and Eugenie are also currently non-working royals, and while they occasionally take on roles – Princess Eugenie was recently named as a mentor for the King's Foundation program – commentators also say they "don't envision a world" in which they would advance into royal duties.
"As far as 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 impact them personally in the independent lives they are building for themselves," says one royal commentator.
"The princesses are most unfortunate victims, they've had to endure quietly and have been dignified in their silence," states another royal author.
Final Impact
Ultimately, there seems to be minimal uncertainty that the individual who will be most affected by these developments will be the Duke himself.
For someone who always liked the royal privileges, the pomp and the pageantry, the loss of his titles is deeply humiliating.
Therefore lacking these, on a individual basis, will really matter.