royals have made the difficult decision to step back from their royal duties or give up their titles, often due to personal reasons, romance, or scandal. One of the most notable instances in British history was the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936. He chose love over duty, stepping down from the throne to marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson. This decision changed the course of the British monarchy, as Edward’s younger brother, George VI, became king. Although Edward was given the title Duke of Windsor after his abdication, his new life was far from the royal spotlight, and Simpson, though called Duchess of Windsor, never received the title of Her Royal Highness.
Another famous royal couple, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, made headlines in January 2020 when they announced their decision to step back as senior members of the British royal family. The couple moved to North America, where they now live in California with their children, Archie and Lilibet. Although Harry remains in the line of succession, this step back marked a significant shift in their roles within the royal family.
Princess Mako of Japan, a niece of Emperor Naruhito, made a similar choice in 2021. She married Kei Komuro, a commoner, and as a result, gave up her royal title, a requirement for Japanese royal women who marry outside of the imperial family. Mako and Kei moved to New York, where she took a job at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, leaving behind her title and royal duties to pursue a private life.
In Norway, Princess Märtha Louise stepped back from her royal duties in 2022 to create a clearer separation between her business ventures and her role as a royal. She had already relinquished her royal patronages after facing criticism for her association with Shaman Durek, her American fiancé. The couple married in 2024, with Durek not receiving a title, as is customary in the Norwegian royal family for non-royal spouses.
Princess Diana, upon her divorce from Prince Charles in 1996, lost the title of Her Royal Highness but retained certain privileges, including an allowance and her apartment at Kensington Palace. Her loss of the title, however, did not diminish her status as a beloved figure in the public eye until her tragic death in 1997.
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, had to renounce his Greek and Danish royal titles to marry Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II. Although he became the Duke of Edinburgh, he was never a king consort, a unique situation in British royalty.
In a more recent example, Princess Ayako of Japan gave up her royal title after marrying Kei Moriya, a commoner, in 2018. The Japanese imperial family requires women who marry outside the family to renounce their titles, and Ayako followed this tradition, choosing her love over her royal status.
Another royal with a significant abdication was Emperor Akihito of Japan. In 2019, Akihito became the first Japanese emperor in over two centuries to abdicate the throne, citing health concerns. His abdication marked the end of a 30-year reign, and his son, Emperor Naruhito, succeeded him, beginning a new era for Japan.
Prince Michael of Kent, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, had to give up his place in the line of succession to marry a Catholic woman, Marie-Christine von Reibnitz, in 1978. The couple continued to hold royal titles, but their children were excluded from the line of succession due to the Act of Settlement 1701, which prohibits Catholics from inheriting the throne.
Finally, King Juan Carlos I of Spain abdicated in 2014 in favor of his son, King Felipe VI. The abdication came after years of controversy and scandals, including a 2012 corruption investigation. After stepping down, Juan Carlos went into self-imposed exile and only returned to Spain in 2022.
Prince Andrew’s recent decision to step back from royal duties in 2019 following allegations related to his association with Jeffrey Epstein marks the latest in a line of royals distancing themselves from their titles. While he remains the Duke of York, he no longer uses the style of His Royal Highness or participates in royal duties, a move that further isolates him from the public and royal family activities.
These instances illustrate the complex and sometimes controversial nature of royal titles and duties, showing how personal choices, love, and scandal can shape the course of royal lives and history.
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