The End of the Duke and Duchess of York
Prince Andrew and his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, have long been referred to as the Duke and Duchess of York, despite their divorce nearly two decades ago. Now, with Andrew no longer permitted to use the Duke of York title, Sarah Ferguson also loses her corresponding duchess title.
This decision marks the end of both individuals being formally styled under these well-known titles.
Additional Titles Being Removed
Beyond his English dukedom, Prince Andrew is also giving up two other titles traditionally awarded to senior royals upon marriage—one from Scotland and one from Ireland. These lesser-known titles are:
- Earl of Inverness (Scotland)
- Baron Killyleagh (Ireland)
When Andrew and Sarah married in 1986, they received all three titles, as is customary. Although they divorced ten years later, Sarah retained her titles in name only. Now, both her Scottish and Irish titles—Countess of Inverness and Baroness Killyleagh—are also no longer valid.
What Remains for the Next Generation
While Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have lost their formal royal styles and titles, their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their official status. Both will continue to hold the title of “Her Royal Highness,” as that designation is theirs by birth and not dependent on their father’s titles.
