Topics: Prince Andrew, Royal Family, Virginia Giuffre, Jeffrey Epstein, News, UK News
Sarah Ferguson has made a huge change following the news that her ex-husband Prince Andrew has given up his royal titles.
For those not up to date, the former Duke of York, 65, announced on Friday (17 October) that he has given up use of his titles and honours amid the ongoing scrutiny about his links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The bombshell decision also came just days before publication of his sex accuser Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, which includes a slew of allegations.
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace last week, Andrew said: “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.”
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He added, after referencing his decision to step down from public life more than five years ago: “With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first."
Giuffre, who died by suicide at the age of 41 in April, settled a sexual assault lawsuit against the Duke of York in February 2022. Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing.
She was hired as a masseuse for Epstein and was flown around the world for meetings with men at his behest, while she was 17 and 18.
The late victim alleged the duke slept with her on three separate occasions when she was a minor.
Following Andrew's decision to give up his royal honours, some people have been confused over what will happen to Sarah Ferguson's titles - and that has also now been confirmed.
Fergie married into the monarchy in 1986 when she tied the knot with Andrew, taking on the role of the Duchess of York.
However, six years later, the couple separated, and by 1996, they had officially divorced, leaving Ferguson with the title: 'Sarah, Duchess of York'.
According to the BBC, after Andrew was stripped of his remaining royal titles, Ferguson also lost hers.
And she's been quick to act on it, as eagle-eyed royal followers have noticed that she's already removed the title from her social media accounts, as reported by People.
She changed her Twitter handle from '@SarahTheDuchess' to '@sarahMFergie15'.
However, the banner on her Twitter account still reads 'Sarah, Duchess of York'. Her Instagram handle has always been '@sarahferguson15' so that remains the same.
The publication reported that she will now simply use her name 'Sarah Ferguson' in all areas of her life - something she has been doing for a long time professionally.
As for Andrew and Sarah's daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, they have been granted permission to retain their 'Princess' titles as they were handed them at birth.
Royal commentator Victoria Murphy said: "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 independent lives they are carving out for themselves."
