As Prince Andrew relinquishes his royal titles and honors, his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also stop using her Duchess of York title—marking a significant shift in their public roles.
The End of a Royal Title
Prince Andrew made a major announcement on Oct. 17, confirming he would no longer use his royal titles. This statement directly impacts Sarah Ferguson, who has held the Duchess of York title since their marriage in 1986. Queen Elizabeth had granted Andrew the Duke of York title upon his marriage, a traditional title reserved for the monarch’s second son, which automatically made Ferguson the Duchess of York.
Although Ferguson continued to hold the title even after their divorce in 1996, sources now confirm she will exclusively go by Sarah Ferguson in all areas of life, a name she has already been using professionally for years.
A Close Relationship Despite Divorce
Despite their divorce nearly three decades ago, Ferguson, 66, and Prince Andrew have remained close. Known affectionately as “Fergie,” she and Andrew still live together at Royal Lodge located on the Windsor Castle estate. The residence will continue to be their home, as Andrew has a private tenancy agreement with The Crown Estate, which is not affected by the decision to relinquish his titles.
The pair also continue to appear together at royal events, most recently attending the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent in September.
Sarah Ferguson Reflects on Her Identity
In a previous interview with PEOPLE in 2021, while promoting her debut novel Her Heart for a Compass, Ferguson opened up about embracing her authentic self.
