Skip to main contentSkip to footer

Royal news

Sarah Ferguson loses the Duchess of York title following Prince Andrew's decision


Ferguson lost her title after Prince Andrew willingly resigned them due to his connections to Jeffrey Epstein.


Sarah Ferguson gained the title of Duchess of York through marriage© Getty Images for Global Citizen
Maria LoretoSenior Writer
OCTOBER 22, 2025 5:54 PM EDT

On October 17th, Sarah Ferguson lost her title as the Duchess of York. The ex-wife of Prince Andrew was affected after he willingly resigned from his title as the Duke of York, one that had been passed down from Queen Elizabeth II. 

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 05: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee at St Paul's Cathedral on June 5, 2012 in London, England. For only the second time in its history the UK celebrates the Diamond Jubilee of a monarch. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrates the 60th anniversary of her ascension to the throne. Thousands of wellwishers from around the world have flocked to London to witness the spectacle of the weekend's celebrations. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)© Getty Images, Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Prince Andrew resigned his title as Duke of York due to his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein

Sarah Ferguson fulfilled the role of Duchess of York for almost 40 years, ever since she married Andrew in 1986. She continued to use her title following her divorce in 1996. Andrew resigned his title willingly after various news outlets discovered email exchanges between himself and the late Jeffrey Epstein.

Still, despite resigning from the Duke of York title, Andrew remains a prince, a title that he was born with. He's also eight in line to the British throne. In the case of Sarah, things are different for her, considering that she came into the title through marriage. 

"In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family," said Andrew in a statement. "I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life. With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honors which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."

Sarah Ferguson gained the title of Duchess of York through marriage© Getty Images for Global Citizen
Sarah Ferguson gained the title of Duchess of York through marriage

The title of Duke and Duchess of York has a historical meaning for the Royal House. Under current rules, dukedoms are passed down through male-line succession, meaning that the title won't be passed down to his daughters. 

The Daily Beast has reported that various sources close to Prince William claim that he's planning on removing various princely titles and their "HRH" honorifics from non-working royals. Some of the royals losing the title include Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Prince Harry, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet.

Was Ferguson involved in the Epstein scandal?

The wedding of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey, London, UK, 23rd July 1986. (Photo by John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images)© John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images
Ferguson has been known as the Duchess of York since her wedding to Prince Andrew in 1986

While Prince Andrew remains in the eye of the Epstein scandal, Ferguson has also been impacted by the ordeal. In some emails exchanged between Ferguson and Epstein, she refers to him as a "supreme friend." According to outlets like The Sun and The Daily Mail, the emails were sent weeks after Ferguson publicly distanced herself from Epstein. 

The emails resulted in Ferguson losing her place in six benefit organizations: Julia's House, The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, Prevent Breast Cancer, The Teenage Cancer Trust, Children's Literacy Charity, and British Heart Foundation.

Sarah Ferguson celebrates daughter's 'superb' baby news© Getty Images
Ferguson is the mother of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

© ¡HOLA! Reproduction of this article and its photographs in whole or in part is prohibited, even when citing their source.