Royals Who Stepped Back: A Look at Notable Title Renunciations in History
Several royals have chosen to step back from their titles or have had them stripped over the years. King George VI became king after his brother, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson. Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth's third child, resigned from his royal duties in 2019 due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein. He was later stripped of his military titles and patronages. King Edward VIII famously abdicated the British throne in 1936 to marry Simpson, leading to his younger brother becoming king. Princess Mako of Japan gave up her royal title to marry Kei Komuro in 2021. Princess Märtha Louise of Norway relinquished her royal patronages in 2022 to separate her business activities from her royal role. Princess Diana lost her HRH title after divorcing Prince Charles in 1996. Prince Philip renounced his Danish and Greek titles to become Duke of Edinburgh. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark abdicated in 2023 to allow her son to take over. Princess Ayako of Japan gave up her princess title to marry Kei Moriya in 2018. Emperor Akihito abdicated in 2019 due to health concerns, passing the throne to his son, Emperor Naruhito. Prince Michael of Kent forfeited his place in the line of succession to marry Baroness Marie-Christine von Reibnitz.