Sarah, Duchess of York her divorce on 30 May 1996, she retained the style "Her Royal Highness" with the style of other divorced peeresses, eliminating the preface "The" before "Duchess of York". However, in accordance with letters patent issued in August 1996 regulating post-divorce royal titles, Sarah ceased being a "Royal Highness", as she was no longer married to the Duke of York. Her current name, thus, is "Sarah, Duchess of York". Should she marry again, Sarah would lose the use of the style of "Duchess of York". Since the divorce, Sarah still attends some functions with her daughters, such as the investitures of
Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough gift from Queen Anne after the duke's victory at the Battle of Blenheim. Nevertheless, Anne sent her news of political developments in letters and consulted Sarah's advice in most matters. Sarah was famous for telling the queen exactly what she thought, and did not offer her flattery. Anne and Sarah had invented petnames for themselves during their youths which they continued to use after Anne became queen: "Mrs Freeman" (Sarah) and "Mrs Morley" (Anne). Effectively a business manager, Sarah had control over the queen's position, from her finances to people admitted to the royal presence. Anne, however, expected kindness and