How the Duke'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 creating waves through his immediate relatives too.
Fergie's Title Change
The former spouse has now surrendered her ducal status and will simply be known as Sarah Ferguson.
For Sarah, 66, the change will be the most apparent.
Throughout this period, she has maintained the honorary royal post-marital designation Sarah, Duchess of York. Currently, she returns to her birth name of Ferguson.
"She will have lost a certain prestige over this," noted one royal commentator. "She certainly does use the title β including her social media profile is @SarahTheDuchess."
But the loss of her title may affect her much less than the controversy she's dealing with independently about her own connections to the convicted financier.
Last month, several charities removed her as patron after an email from 2011 revealed that she called Epstein her "supreme friend" and appeared to express regret for her negative comments 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 affected by the Epstein controversy than any change in title, notes one monarchy analyst.
But Ferguson has been a great survivor in monarchical networks. She has continued recovering strongly.
"She's the supreme perseverer and expert at transforming," commented one monarchy writer.
The Princesses
For Andrew and Sarah's two daughters, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, thirty-five, there's no formal change.
They will still be known as royal princesses, which they have been granted since their birth.
Additionally there is no change to the line of succession.
Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne, succeeded 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
Beatrice and Eugenie are also presently non-official royals, and while they do sometimes accept positions β The younger princess was recently named as a mentor for the King's Foundation network β commentators also say they "can't see a world" in which they would advance into official responsibilities.
"Regarding Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there's an appreciation of the reality that this scandal doesn't involve them, and it's not fair for it to affect them directly in the separate paths they are carving out for themselves," says one royal commentator.
"The princesses are most unfortunate victims, they've had to suffer in silence and have been dignified in their reserve," adds another royal author.
Ultimate Consequences
In the end, there appears to be little doubt that the person who will be most impacted by these developments will be Prince Andrew himself.
For a man who consistently enjoyed the trappings of royalty, the ceremony and the ceremony, the loss of his titles is deeply humiliating.
Therefore lacking those, on a individual basis, will really matter.