'Real reason' Sarah Ferguson still has her royal title despite Prince Andrew divorce

Sarah Ferguson, who is frequently referred to as Fergie, was allowed to maintain her royal title as the Duchess of York despite being divorced. Prince Andrew married Sarah in July 1986, but announced their separation in 1992.

The former couple, who share two adult daughters, then offically divorced in 1996 - although still live together at Royal Lodge in Windsor. While she is no longer an official member of the Royal Family, she is still known as Sarah, Duchess of York.

This royal title is customary styling for former wives of peers - and was also used by the late Princess Diana, who was known as Diana, Princess of Wales.

A divorced royal wife is allowed to keep her courtesy title by placing her first name before it - like Diana, who was previously married to the now-King Charles.

Despite this, all former wives of members of the Royal Family lose the style of Her Royal Highness [HRH] after a divorce.

In August 1996 - the same year that Andrew officially divorced Sarah - the late Queen Elizabeth II issued a new letters patent to address the issue of HRH stylings after a divorce.

The letter read: "The Queen has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 21st August 1996 to declare 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 former couple's daughters - Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie - are still allowed to retain their royal titles although their dad is no longer a working royal.

Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, have both carved out full-time careers away from the royal spotlight and prioritise their time as mothers.

Sarah has recently come under fire following new revelations about an email that she had sent to the late Jeffrey Epstein after his release from jail following child sex offences. Since the new revelation, many charities associated with Sarah have dropped her as patron, including The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, Julia's House, Prevent Breast Cancer, Teenage Cancer Trust and Children's Literacy Charity.