How the Duke's Removal of Titles Means for Fergie, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie
The Duke's removal from the last vestiges of monarchical duties has not only reshaped his future - it's sending ripples through his family too.
Fergie's New Status
The former spouse has now lost her duchess title and will simply be known as Sarah Ferguson.
For Sarah, 66, the transition will be the most apparent.
Throughout this period, she has maintained the honorary royal divorcee title Sarah, York Duchess. Now, she reverts to her maiden name of Ferguson.
"She will have lost a certain prestige over this," said one royal commentator. "She certainly does use the title – even her social media profile is @SarahTheDuchess."
But the loss of her title may affect her much less than the controversy she's facing separately about her own links with Jeffrey Epstein.
Last month, several charities removed her as ambassador after an email from 2011 revealed that she called Epstein her "greatest ally" and appeared to express regret for her public criticism of him.
Business Ventures and Philanthropy
Separate from her philanthropy, Ferguson also has multiple commercial enterprises.
And these ventures, are more probable to be impacted by the Epstein scandal than any change in title, notes one royal commentator.
But Ferguson has been a great survivor in monarchical networks. She has continued recovering strongly.
"She's the ultimate survivor and master of reinvention," commented one royal author.
The Princesses
For the couple's offspring, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, there's no official alteration.
They continue to be known as royal princesses, which they have been granted since birth.
Additionally there is no modification to the line of succession.
Andrew remains eighth in line to the crown, succeeded by his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth place respectively.
But in reality their positions are "low down" and will likely become even more remote as time goes on.
Coming Opportunities
The princesses are also presently non-official royals, and while they do sometimes accept positions – Princess Eugenie was recently named as a mentor for the King's Foundation program – commentators also say they "don't envision a scenario" in which they would step up into official responsibilities.
"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie are concerned, I think there's an understanding of the fact that this controversy doesn't involve them, and it's unjust for it to affect them personally in the independent lives they are building for themselves," explains one royal commentator.
"The princesses are particularly unlucky affected parties, they've had to suffer in silence and have been dignified in their silence," adds another royal author.
Final Impact
In the end, there appears to be little doubt that the person 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 ceremony, the relinquishment of his honors is profoundly embarrassing.
So to not have those, on a individual basis, will really matter.