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Sarah Ferguson did lose her HRH style when she and Prince Andrew divorced in 1996. What remained was the style “Sarah, Duchess of York”—a distinct form that did not mean she retained HRH or remained a royal princess. The distinction changed again in 2025, when reports said she would no longer use Duchess of York.
What changed when Sarah and Andrew divorced?
Sarah and Prince Andrew divorced in May 1996. After the divorce, she was no longer styled “HRH The Duchess of York”; she was styled “Sarah, Duchess of York,” according to Debrett’s guidance on former wives.
The difference is the reason the answer can sound contradictory: Sarah lost the entitlement to HRH, but the style “Sarah, Duchess of York” continued after the divorce. The Duchess of York style was not the same as the HRH style.
Why did she lose HRH but keep “Duchess of York”?
Letters Patent dated 21 August 1996 addressed the HRH entitlement of certain former wives. They said that “a former wife (other than a widow until she shall remarry) of a son of a Sovereign of these Realms, of a son of a son of a Sovereign and of the eldest living son of the eldest son of The Prince of Wales shall not be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness.” The House of Commons Library briefing on the removal of titles and honours says the provision applied to Sarah, Duchess of York, and Diana, Princess of Wales.
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Debrett’s explains the result for Sarah: she ceased to be HRH The Duchess of York and became Sarah, Duchess of York. In other words, the 1996 change removed her HRH entitlement; it did not make the post-divorce Duchess of York style disappear.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happened to the title in 2025?
The later change was separate from the 1996 divorce. In October 2025, Andrew said he would no longer use the Duke of York title. Buckingham Palace announced on 30 October that the King had initiated a formal process concerning Andrew’s styles, titles and honours. The Commons Library briefing describes subsequent formal steps affecting Andrew: Letters Patent dated 3 November removed his HRH style and Prince dignity, and a warrant directed his removal from the Roll of the Peerage.
The Associated Press reported that Sarah would also no longer use the Duchess of York title. That reported non-use followed the 2025 developments; it was not the result of the 1996 divorce itself.
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