Royals around the world who have either ‘stepped back’ from their royal duties or no longer hold the royal title

Not everyone can become a member of the royal family. Either one acquires the royal status by birth or they must marry their way into a royal household. Both of which are highly unattainable possibilities. However, when we turn the tables around and think of all the royals who, much like us, have dreams and aspirations and want to lead an ordinary life, it is not that difficult a process. Unlike most of us, the royals actually have a choice to give up their royal titles and ‘step back’ from their royal duties whenever they feel like. That being said, here are some of the royal members who did so for various reasons.

Photo: Getty images

We all are familiar with the King who gave up his throne for the sake of love, King Edward VIII. In 1936, after succeeding his father George V and reigning over the throne of England for at least a year, he renounced his royal title as the King of England, to marry the love of his life, Wallis Simpson, a two-time divorcee American woman. While this decision not only stunned the entire world, it also changed the entire British line of succession.

The most recent royal exit, popularly known as “Megxit”, was carried out by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. According to their announcement on their website and official Instagram account on January 8, 2020, they stated, “We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.” It was also recently reported that their son, Archie, was also not given a royal title at birth.

While the three of the above royals chose to relinquish their royal titles and duties in light of their personal agendas, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew had had no choice but to ‘step back’ from his royal duties, following the revelation of his controversial friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the late billionaire who was accused of sexual assaulting a minor. While the acquaintance between the two were initially denied by the Buckingham palace, in an interview with BBC Newsnight, Prince Andrew accepted all the allegations. Although, he no longer performs any royal duties, he has not lost his title and still gets a share of the royal money.

The Japanese Empire has seen many daring princesses who have willingly given up their royal titles and duties, in order to marry the love of their lives. One of them is Princess Ayako, daughter of Prince Takamado, one of Emperor Akihito's cousins, who chose to marry Kei Moriya, an employee at a shipping industry. Although, she still receives about $950,000 a year, but she no longer performs any royal duties.

Photo: Reuters

Following the corruption scandal that involved his son-in-law and his own controversial elephant hunting trip during the Spanish financial crisis, King Juan Carlos of Spain abdicated the throne after almost 40 years of reign. However, he altogether renounced all his royal duties in 2019. His son, Felipe took over the throne after him. Reportedly, the ex-King has left the country and moved to an unknown destination, weeks after he was associated with an alleged corruption scandal.

Photo: AFP

In 2019, the Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf stripped five of his grandchildren of their royal titles and privileges. According to the announcement made by the Swedish royal court, other than the King's two grandchildren who are in direct line to the throne, the rest five of his grandchildren will no longer hold the HRH (His/Her Royal Higness) titles.

Ubolratana of Thailand was the first-born of Bhumibol Adulyadej and Sirikit Kitiyakara, the King and the Queen Mother of Thailand. During her time at the Boston, USA, she met an American man named Peter Jensen, with whom she fell in love and decided to marry. However in the process, not only did she lose all her royal titles but she was also banished by her family. However, the couple divorced in 1998.

Much like the former King of Spain, King Albert II of Belgium also abdicated the throne in July, 2013. The former Belgian King often expressed his intent to the Prime Minister, however, he was always asked to reconsider. But in July 2013, on Belgium's national day, he pronounced his son as the next King in line and declared his abdication on national television.

- By Tenzin Chodon