From Prince Andrew to Prince Harry: Royals Who Stepped Back or Gave Up Their Titles
Scandals, love, and duty — the many reasons royals around the world have abdicated or distanced themselves from royal life
By Orlin Milinov
London — Prince Andrew has officially relinquished the title of Duke of York, ending years of public criticism tied to his conduct and connections with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a statement on Friday, the king’s younger brother said the “continued accusations” surrounding his name had become a distraction to the work of the Royal Family. While Andrew retains his princely status, he will no longer hold the Duke of York title or his membership in the Order of the Garter.
His ex-wife Sarah Ferguson also loses the title Duchess of York, though their daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie retain their royal titles.
Prince Andrew’s decision adds his name to a long list of royals across generations — and across the world — who have stepped back from royal duties, renounced titles, or abdicated in pursuit of independence, privacy, or love.
Below are 15 prominent figures who made similar choices.
1. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor
In one of the most defining royal moments of the 20th century, King Edward VIII abdicated the throne on December 10, 1936, after less than a year as monarch, to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American.
He became the Duke of Windsor, while Simpson was granted the title Duchess of Windsor, but denied the “Her Royal Highness” prefix.
2. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
On January 8, 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to step back as senior members of the British Royal Family.
The couple later moved to California with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, focusing on philanthropy and media ventures outside royal protocol.
3. Diana, Princess of Wales
After her divorce from then-Prince Charles in 1996, Princess Diana lost the “Her Royal Highness” title but retained her Kensington Palace residence and certain privileges.
She tragically died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, at age 36.
4. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Before marrying the future Queen Elizabeth II in 1947, Prince Philip renounced his Greek and Danish royal titles, became a British citizen, and adopted the surname Mountbatten.
He served as consort to the Queen until his death in April 2021, aged 99.
5. Princess Mako of Japan
Princess Mako, niece of Emperor Naruhito, relinquished her royal title in October 2021 to marry Kei Komuro, a commoner.
The couple now live in New York City, where Mako works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Komuro has since passed the New York bar exam.
6. Prince Friso of the Netherlands
In 2004, Prince Friso lost his royal title after marrying Mabel Wisse Smit without parliamentary consent. Once second in line to the Dutch throne, he passed away in 2013 following complications from a skiing accident.
7. Princess Anne’s Children
Princess Anne and her husband Mark Phillips declined royal titles for their children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, to allow them ordinary lives.
Both have built independent careers, with Zara achieving success as an Olympic equestrian.
8. Sweden’s Royal Grandchildren
In 2019, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden removed the Royal Highness status from five of his grandchildren to streamline the monarchy.
They retained their titles as princes and princesses, but only in a personal capacity.
9. Princess Ayako of Japan
In October 2018, Princess Ayako married commoner Kei Moriya, thereby giving up her royal status to become Ayako Moriya.
She is a second cousin to Princess Mako, who made a similar decision three years later.
10. Emperor Akihito of Japan
In 2019, Emperor Akihito became Japan’s first monarch in nearly two centuries to abdicate, citing declining health.
His son Emperor Naruhito succeeded him, continuing the world’s oldest hereditary monarchy.
11. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands
After 33 years on the throne, Queen Beatrix abdicated in 2013 in favor of her son King Willem-Alexander.
Following Dutch royal tradition, she reverted to the title Princess Beatrix after her abdication.
12. Prince Michael of Kent
Prince Michael of Kent gave up his place in the British line of succession in 1978 upon marrying Baroness Marie-Christine von Reibnitz, a Catholic.
He was later reinstated in 2015 after succession laws were modernized.
13. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
After 52 years on the throne, Queen Margrethe II abdicated in January 2024, citing health concerns.
Her son King Frederik X succeeded her, while she became Queen Emerita Margrethe.
14. King Juan Carlos I of Spain
King Juan Carlos I abdicated in 2014 in favor of his son King Felipe VI after nearly four decades of reign.
He later left Spain in 2020 amid corruption allegations but returned in 2022 after investigations were dropped.
15. Prince Andrew, Duke of York (2025)
The latest royal to relinquish his title, Prince Andrew’s decision closes a turbulent chapter for the British monarchy.
Facing years of scrutiny over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, Andrew’s retreat from public life and loss of royal honors marks another step in King Charles III’s efforts to modernize and streamline the royal family’s public role.
