Sarah Ferguson has changed her social media accounts to remove any mention of the Duchess of York title after it was revealed she would cease using it in public.
Prince Andrew and his ex-wife have been engulfed in scandal over the past few weeks, culminating in an official statement on 17 October confirming they would no longer use their royal titles.
As a result, Sarah no longer uses her “SarahTheDuchess” handle on her X and TikTok accounts, instead adopting the username “sarahMFergie15” – a reference to her well-known nickname derived from her maiden name, Ferguson.
Andrew’s Statement: “Accusations Distract from Royal Family”
Prince Andrew’s statement read: “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.”
“I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first.”
He continued: “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 honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
Royal Website Scrubbed of “Duke of York” References
The Royal Family’s official website has been updated to reflect the loss of Andrew’s dukedom and other honours in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal.
All references to the Duke of York have been axed from royal.uk, with the King’s younger brother now referred to solely as Prince Andrew throughout.
Today, the royal.uk website reads: “On 13 January 2022, Buckingham Palace announced that, with Queen Elizabeth II’s approval and agreement, Prince Andrew’s military affiliations and Royal patronages would be returned to Her late Majesty, and The Prince would not return to public duties.
“Prior to stepping back from public life, Prince Andrew undertook a wide range of public work, with a strong economic and business focus.”
Dukedom Remains Technically Intact
Prince Andrew still officially holds his dukedom, as an Act of Parliament is required for its formal removal under British constitutional law.
However, Andrew and Sarah will no longer publicly use the titles in any of their endeavours, effectively abandoning the York dukedom in all but legal terms.
The distinction between officially holding the title and voluntarily ceasing to use it represents a compromise that avoids the need for parliamentary intervention whilst addressing public concern.
Growing Calls for Parliamentary Action
Sir Keir Starmer is facing growing calls to pass a law which will allow Parliament to strip Prince Andrew of his dukedom permanently.
Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader in Westminster, told The Telegraph: “I won’t sit silent – if an act of Parliament is required.
He added: “There can be no justification from this Labour Government as to why that is not immediately happening.”
A Labour MP and former shadow cabinet minister, who asked not to be named, also called for Prince Andrew to lose his dukedom via an act of Parliament.
The MP said: “I do think he ought to be stripped of all titles.”
Miliband: “Guided by Royal Family”
However, Ed Miliband, the Environment Secretary and former Labour leader, said the government would be “guided by the Royal Family on this.
“I think the Royal Family have said that they didn’t want to take up parliamentary time with this,” Miliband stated.
“There are lots of other things that Parliament is discussing. I think it’s right [that] he’s given up his titles.”
Miliband’s position suggests the Labour government is reluctant to force parliamentary time on the issue if the Royal Family opposes it.
Sarah’s Social Media Rebrand
The 66-year-old’s decision to change her username to “sarahMFergie15” marks a symbolic break from her royal identity after decades of being known publicly as the Duchess of York.
“Fergie” has been Ferguson’s nickname since childhood, and her adoption of it for her social media handles suggests a return to her pre-royal identity.
The change affects her presence on both X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, where she has cultivated a significant following over recent years.
Epstein Scandal Continues to Haunt Andrew
The decision to abandon the York titles comes as the Jeffrey Epstein scandal continues to cast a long shadow over Prince Andrew’s reputation.
Andrew has faced persistent allegations about his friendship with convicted sex offender Epstein and allegations of sexual impropriety, which he has consistently denied.
His disastrous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, in which he defended his friendship with Epstein and gave a series of bizarre explanations for his whereabouts, proved catastrophic for his public standing.
Five Years Since Stepping Back
Andrew referenced his “decision five years ago to stand back from public life”, referring to his withdrawal from royal duties in November 2019 following the Newsnight debacle.
In January 2022, Queen Elizabeth II stripped him of his military affiliations and royal patronages, and he stopped using His Royal Highness in any official capacity.
The latest move to abandon his dukedom represents a further step in his withdrawal from public life and distancing from the Royal Family’s official activities.
Impact on Sarah Ferguson
For Sarah Ferguson, the abandonment of the Duchess of York title marks the end of an era that began with her marriage to Andrew in 1986.
Despite divorcing in 1996, Sarah retained the Duchess of York title and has used it throughout her career as an author, television personality and charity advocate.
The couple have remained close despite their divorce, living together at Royal Lodge in Windsor for many years and presenting a united front in public.
Historical Precedent
The voluntary abandonment of a royal dukedom is highly unusual in British royal history.
Previous instances of peers losing titles have typically required Acts of Parliament, such as the Titles Deprivation Act 1917 which stripped enemy peers of their British honours during World War I.
Andrew’s decision to stop using his title voluntarily avoids the constitutional complications and parliamentary time that would be required for formal removal.
Public Opinion Divided
Public opinion on whether Parliament should formally strip Andrew of his titles remains divided.
Some argue that voluntary abandonment is sufficient given he will no longer use the title publicly, whilst others insist formal removal is necessary for accountability.
The debate reflects wider questions about the role and privileges of the Royal Family in modern Britain.
King Charles’s Position
King Charles has faced a delicate balancing act between protecting the institution of the monarchy and dealing with his younger brother’s scandal.
The statement confirming Andrew’s decision referenced discussions with “The King, and my immediate and wider family”, suggesting Charles was involved in reaching this outcome.
Charles has consistently sought to streamline the monarchy and distance it from controversy, and Andrew’s withdrawal represents progress toward that goal.
What Happens to Royal Lodge?
Questions remain about Andrew’s future residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor, the 30-room mansion he shares with Sarah.
The property is owned by the Crown Estate, and there have been reports that Charles wants Andrew to vacate the premises given his non-working royal status.
However, Andrew holds a 75-year lease on the property signed in 2003, complicating any efforts to remove him.
As Andrew and Sarah begin their new lives without their York titles, the scandal that has dogged them for years shows no signs of completely fading, with political pressure continuing for formal parliamentary action to permanently strip the dukedom.
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