Prince Andrew’s Shocking Decision to Give Up Royal Titles — Will He Still Remain in the Line of Succession.HL

Sarah Ferguson will continue to use her maiden name, “Sarah Ferguson,” professionally, a name she has consistently used for many years. However, she will no longer use the title “Duchess of York” in any capacity following her ex-husband Prince Andrew’s decision to step back from his royal titles. PEOPLE understands that this change will not affect the couple’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who remain unaffected by their father’s decision.

Prince Andrew, King Charles III, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward.

Prince Andrew had already lost the use of his title “His Royal Highness” and his position as a Counsellor of State. In January 2022, following the sexual assault lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of being involved in Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse ring, the late Queen Elizabeth stripped Andrew of his military titles and patronages. Although Andrew has denied all wrongdoing, the matter was settled out of court in February 2022, with Andrew agreeing to a financial settlement with Giuffre.

With his abdication of royal duties, Princess Beatrice was appointed by King Charles as a Counsellor of State, replacing her father’s role. Counsellors of State are tasked with conducting official duties on behalf of the monarch and are typically the monarch’s spouse and the next four adults in the line of succession over 21. Princess Beatrice now joins Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward in this important role. Meanwhile, Andrew and his brother Prince Harry were excluded from the list as they are no longer working royals.

Prince Andrew and King Charles at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey on Sept

When Prince Andrew was born on February 19, 1960, he was second in line to the throne, right behind his older brother Charles. Under the system of male-preference primogeniture, Andrew held a higher position in the succession despite Princess Anne being his elder sibling. However, the Succession to the Crown Act of 2013 changed this, ensuring that birth order, regardless of sex, determines the line of succession. The Act only applied to royals born after October 28, 2011, so Princess Anne remained behind her younger brothers in the succession order. As it stands, Prince Andrew is now eighth in line to the throne, the first in the order who is not directly descended from the King.

On his wedding day to Sarah Ferguson on July 23, 1986, Prince Andrew was granted the title of Duke of York, a traditional title bestowed upon the second son of the reigning monarch. Additionally, he received the Earldom of Inverness and the Barony of Killyleagh. Despite these titles being relinquished, questions remain about his future within the royal family. He has been barred from attending Christmas festivities with the family, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his status.

One constant in Prince Andrew’s life, however, is his residence at Royal Lodge, located in Windsor Great Park. He has lived there since 2004, and even after his divorce from Sarah Ferguson, the two continued to reside there together. In the fall of 2024, Prince Andrew raised money to stay in the residence after King Charles cut off his personal allowance. PEOPLE understands that Andrew’s private tenancy agreement with The Crown Estate will remain unaffected by his decision to step away from his royal titles, meaning he will continue to live at Royal Lodge, situated on the grounds of Windsor Castle.