Will Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie’s Royal Titles Be Affected as Prince Andrew Gives Up His Own?
Prince Andrew’s decision to give up the use of his royal titles has set off a wave of questions about what comes next for his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. In simple terms, their styles and places in the line of succession remain the same. Andrew, with King Charles’ agreement, has announced that he will no longer use his title or the honors conferred upon him, including “Duke of York,” as a way to avoid distracting from the work of the Royal Family. While he remains a prince by birth, this marks another significant step back from public-facing duties.
Because Beatrice and Eugenie were born royal as female-line grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth II, their “Princess” titles are intrinsic and not dependent on their father’s usage of “Duke of York.” This means both women will continue to be styled as Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, and their positions in the royal line of succession will not change. They were never full-time working royals, and nothing in Andrew’s announcement alters that status. Royal commentators and official palace sources have reiterated that the decision affects only Prince Andrew himself.
Many people have also been curious about whether this move signals a wider shift in how royal titles are handled. The answer, for now, is no. There’s a difference between voluntarily stepping away from titles and having them legally stripped. Andrew’s announcement reflects his personal decision not to use his title, rather than an act of Parliament that would formally revoke it. That legal distinction means his daughters’ birthright titles remain untouched.
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, may no longer use the style “Duchess of York” publicly following this change, since her title was a courtesy one tied to her former husband’s dukedom. But that adjustment does not extend to Beatrice and Eugenie, who hold their titles in their own right. Both women have established independent lives — balancing family, work, and philanthropy — and have carefully maintained a low but dignified public profile in recent years.
The Duke of York’s decision comes after years of public and media scrutiny tied to his association with Jeffrey Epstein and the subsequent civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre. Prince Andrew has consistently denied wrongdoing and reached a settlement in 2022 without any admission of liability. However, the ongoing controversy has cast a long shadow over his royal role, and this latest step appears aimed at reducing that strain on the monarchy’s image.
For Beatrice and Eugenie, life is likely to continue as it has in recent years — private citizens with royal heritage. They will still attend family events such as Trooping the Colour or royal weddings, but not in an official working capacity. Their charitable work, especially Eugenie’s advocacy for anti-slavery initiatives and Beatrice’s focus on education and dyslexia awareness, will likely remain at the center of their public contributions.
While the optics of Andrew’s announcement have stirred speculation, royal experts stress that the structure of the monarchy is not shifting beneath Beatrice and Eugenie’s feet. The sisters are not losing their royal titles, nor are they being excluded from the family. In essence, this is a personal adjustment by their father — not a generational change in royal protocol.
As the monarchy continues to modernize under King Charles, the focus seems to be on maintaining a streamlined institution, one that prioritizes working royals actively engaged in official duties. Beatrice and Eugenie, as supportive but non-working members, stand apart from those inner circles — a position they’ve long seemed comfortable with.
Despite the headlines, nothing truly changes for them. Their royal titles remain intact, their family bonds unbroken, and their roles in the royal landscape as steady as before. For Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, this moment isn’t about loss — it’s about continuing their lives with quiet dignity, away from the noise that often surrounds the crown.
