How Sarah Ferguson kept her Duchess title even after split with Prince Andrew

Sarah Ferguson may have divorced Prince Andrew nearly three decades ago, but she still goes by Duchess of York.

Fergie, 64, tied the knot with Andrew in 1986 before the pair announced their separation in 1992 and officially divorced in 1996. 

Despite the split, she was allowed to keep her title, now styled as Sarah, Duchess of York.

This isn’t unique to Sarah. It follows a royal tradition where former wives of peers keep their courtesy titles, as long as they add their first name before it. 

The late Princess Diana was also styled Diana, Princess of Wales after her divorce from then-Prince Charles.

However, there’s one major difference: divorced wives of royals lose the right to be called Her Royal Highness (HRH). 

Queen Elizabeth II even issued a formal letters patent in August 1996 making this rule official.

Sarah and Andrew still live together at Royal Lodge in Windsor, and remain close while raising their two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

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