Warning: This page contains spoilers for the January 2, 2026, game of Jeopardy! — please do not scroll down if you wish to avoid being spoiled. Please note that the game airs as early as noon Eastern in some U.S. television markets.
Here’s today’s Final Jeopardy (in the category British Royal Titles) for Friday, January 2, 2026 (Season 42, Game 85):
This title named for a county of coastal England had lapsed by 1843 but was revived in 2018 when Elizabeth gave it to a family member
(correct response beneath the contestants)
Today’s Jeopardy! contestants:
Ryan Sharpe, a recent graduate from Oakville, Ontario, Canada (Yesterday’s total: $33,440)
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Abigail Arnold, an academic administrator from Waltham, Massachusetts (Yesterday’s total: $23,600)
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Dondi DeMarco, an operations executive from New York, New York (Yesterday’s total: $0)
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Andy’s Pregame Thoughts:
After a $13,600 True Daily Double in yesterday’s game, Ryan Sharpe holds the lead at the midway point of our two-game total-point final. Abigail Arnold sits second, while Dondi DeMarco will likely need a strong game and three successful Daily Doubles in order to have a hope at victory. As today’s main game scores can be doubled in Final Jeopardy, Ryan has an “effective lead” of $4,920 over Abigail and $16,720 over Dondi.
(Content continues below)
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Correct response: What is Duke of Sussex?
More information about Final Jeopardy:
(The following write-up is original content and is copyright 2026 The Jeopardy! Fan. It may not be copied without linked attribution back to this page.)
Named from the Old English for “South Saxons”, Sussex is a county in Southeast England; as a British royal title, “Duke of Sussex” has only been used on two occasions: firstly in 1801, when Prince Augustus Frederick, the sixth son of King George III was granted the title. The title lapsed in 1843 upon his death, as his marriage has not been granted permission by the King under the Royal Marriages Act, therefore any children were unable to inherit his titles.
The more recent investiture was in 2018, when Prince Harry was bestowed the title by Queen Elizabeth II just prior to his marriage to Meghan Markle, who became Duchess of Sussex.
I think this Final Jeopardy is slightly more difficult just because Americans don’t pay that much attention to England; if this Final Jeopardy aired in the UK version I think their viewership would think it was incredibly straightforward. I also think that Ryan might have an advantage here just based on his being Canadian, but we shall see.
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Game Recap:
For the second game in a row, Ryan Sharpe successfully converted a True Daily Double early in Double Jeopardy. This one allowed him to cruise to a two-game runaway.
Ryan then put the exclamation point on the win with a correct response in Final; he’ll be back next week in Champions Wildcard.
Scores going into Final:
Ryan $24,800
Abigail $12,600
Dondi $6,700
Tonight’s results:
Dondi $6,700 – $6,699 = $1 + $0 = $1 (What is…….)
Abigail $12,600 – $11,639 = $961 + $23,600 = $24,561 (What is Duchess of Sussex?)
Ryan $24,800 + $42 = $24,842 + $33,440 = $58,282 (What is Duke of Sussex?)
Andy’s Thoughts:
- As was mentioned by Ken, “Duchess of Sussex” was not given as a title in the 19th century; thus, it did not fit all aspects of the clue and was not correct.
- Today’s J!6 clues can be found at the monthly archive.
Final Jeopardy! wagering suggestions:
(Scores: Dondi $6,700 ($0) Abigail $12,600 ($23,600) Ryan $24,800 ($33,440))
Dondi’s current score: $6,700
Dondi’s maximum possible score: $13,400
Abigail’s current score: $36,200
Abigail’s maximum possible score: $48,800
Ryan’s current score: $58,240
Ryan’s maximum possible score: $83,040
Dondi: You’re locked into third regardless. Do whatever you’d like. (Actual bet: $6,699)
Abigail: You can’t finish any worse than second. Go all in and force Ryan to do his math right. (Actual bet: $11,639)
Ryan: You win as long as you bet no more than $9,439. (Actual bet: $42)
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