A royal shake-up has once again gripped the British monarchy as Sarah Ferguson, formerly known as the Duchess of York, prepares to lose her courtesy title. The move follows her ex-husband Prince Andrew’s decision to relinquish his own royal titles and honours amid mounting scrutiny and pressure from within the royal establishment.

Prince Andrew’s decision came after discussions with King Charles III and Prince William, spurred by renewed controversy over his past associations, including links to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and allegations of contact with a suspected Chinese spy. Buckingham Palace insiders told BBC News that the King is reportedly “relieved” by the decision, viewing it as a necessary step to preserve the monarchy’s integrity.

In an official statement released through Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew explained: “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.” He continued, “With His Majesty’s agreement, I will no longer use my title or the honours conferred upon me. I have decided to put my duty to family and country first.”

Despite their divorce more than three decades ago, Sarah Ferguson, 66, has remained a loyal supporter of the Duke, continuing to live with him at Royal Lodge. Sources told Hello! Magazine that she remains calm about the loss of her courtesy title, believing it won’t significantly impact her daily life. “She will always support her former husband’s decisions and do anything for the King,” a source revealed.

However, Ferguson has faced her own controversy recently, after being dropped by multiple charities over a resurfaced email exchange with Jeffrey Epstein. In the correspondence, she allegedly expressed regret for publicly disowning him, calling him a “supreme friend.”

Prince Andrew’s relinquishment of his dukedom marks a historic precedent, the first time in over a century that a senior royal has voluntarily ceased to use such a title. The last comparable case dates back to World War I, when Queen Victoria’s grandson, the Duke of Albany, was stripped of his title under the Titles Deprivation Act 1917 for siding with Germany.

Notably, while Andrew will no longer use his honours, he remains a prince by birthright as the son of the late Queen Elizabeth II. He also retains his position as eighth in line to the throne. His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will continue to hold their royal titles unaffected by this change.