How Prince Andrew's Titles Loss Signifies for Fergie, Beatrice and Eugenie
The Duke's exit from the last vestiges of monarchical duties has not only altered his path - it's creating waves through his immediate relatives too.
Fergie's Title Change
His ex-wife has now surrendered her ducal status and will simply be known as Sarah Ferguson.
For Ferguson, sixty-six, the change will be the most visible.
Throughout this period, she has kept the courtesy royal post-marital designation Sarah, York Duchess. Now, she reverts to her maiden name of Ferguson.
"She will have lost a certain prestige over this," noted one monarchy expert. "She definitely utilizes the title – including her social media profile is @TheDuchessSarah."
But the loss of her title may affect her much less than the controversy she's dealing with independently about her own links with Jeffrey Epstein.
Recently, multiple organizations dropped her as ambassador after an email from 2011 showed that she called Epstein her "greatest ally" and seemed to apologise for her public criticism of him.
Professional Endeavors and Charity Work
Separate from her charitable activities, Ferguson also has multiple commercial enterprises.
And these, too, are more probable to be affected by the Epstein scandal than any change in title, says one monarchy analyst.
But Ferguson has been a great survivor in royal circles. She has continued bouncing back.
"She is the supreme perseverer and expert at transforming," said one monarchy writer.
The Princesses
For the couple's two daughters, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, there's no formal change.
They will still be referred to as royal princesses, which they have been granted since birth.
Additionally there is no change to the royal succession order.
Andrew remains eighth position to the throne, succeeded by his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, in ninth and twelfth place respectively.
But in reality their standing are "distant" and will probably become much further down as years pass.
Coming Opportunities
Beatrice and Eugenie are also currently non-working royals, and while they occasionally accept positions – Princess Eugenie was recently announced as a advisor for the King's Foundation network – commentators also suggest they "don't envision a scenario" in which they would advance into official responsibilities.
"As far as Beatrice and Eugenie are concerned, I think there's an understanding of the reality that this controversy doesn't involve them, and it's unjust for it to affect them personally in the independent lives they are carving out for themselves," says one monarchy analyst.
"Their daughters are particularly unlucky affected parties, they've had to suffer in silence and have been composed in their reserve," adds another monarchy writer.
Ultimate Consequences
Ultimately, there appears to be minimal uncertainty that the individual who will be most impacted by these developments will be Prince Andrew himself.
For a man who always liked the trappings of royalty, the ceremony and the ceremony, the loss of his titles is deeply humiliating.
So to not have these, on a individual basis, will significantly count.