Royal Family Adjusts Following Prince Andrew‘s Title Stripping: What’s Next for Sarah Ferguson, Beatrice and Eugenie
London – Prince Andrew has been stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages, and will no longer use the title “His Royal Highness,” following scrutiny related to his association with Jeffrey Epstein. The changes prompt questions about the future roles of his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princess Beatrice, 37, and Princess Eugenie, 35.
while the loss of Andrew’s titles is “deeply humiliating” for him personally, experts suggest the impact on Ferguson, Beatrice, and Eugenie will be limited. Royal commentator Katie Nicholls notes Ferguson has navigated notable challenges previously and “has learnt not to attach too much weight to things like that,” adding she has been through “much worse.” Sources indicate King charles remains fond of Ferguson.
For Beatrice and Eugenie, the situation presents no formal change to their status. They will retain their titles as princesses, to which they were entitled from birth, and their positions in the line of succession-ninth and twelfth respectively-remain unchanged, though their practical significance is diminishing.Andrew remains eighth in line.
“So practically, their positions have little meaning for the future,” says royal expert Tessa Murphy. Both princesses are currently non-working royals, though Princess Eugenie recently became a mentor for the King’s Foundation’s 35 under 35 network. Murphy believes a move towards official royal duties is unlikely, stating, “I don’t think that was ever really on the cards, and I certainly don’t see it as an option.”
The princesses have benefited from their parents’ established network, a benefit that may be affected by Andrew’s loss of his dukedom, according to royal author Ingrid Palmer. While Prince Andrew will not join the royal family at Sandringham for Christmas, it’s anticipated Beatrice and Eugenie may still attend, as they are seen as separate from the scandal.
“As far as Beatrice and Eugenie go, I think there’s an appreciation of the fact that this scandal doesn’t involve them, and it’s not fair for it to impact them directly in the self-reliant lives they are carving out for themselves,” Murphy explained. Nicholls added that the sisters have been “dignified” throughout the situation and “remain very much loved nieces of the King.”
