Royalty has always meant duty, tradition, and power. But not everyone handed a crown wants to keep it. Some left for love. Some left for sanity. Some left because the job was simply too much.
Here are twenty royals who gave up their crowns, titles, or duties—and what happened after.
At a Glance
- Mako abandoned her royal status in 2021 to marry her long-term partner Kei Komuro, a commoner
- Margrethe II of Denmark stepped down in 2023 citing health and age after five decades on the throne
- Philip renounced his Greek and Danish titles to marry the future Queen Elizabeth II
- Emperor Akihito of Japan abdicated in 2019—the first emperor to do so in over two centuries
- The Dutch queen stepped down in January 2013 after three and a half decades on the throne
Princess Mako: Love Wins (Eventually)
Mako, a niece of Emperor Naruhito, abandoned her royal status in 2021 to marry her long-term partner Kei Komuro, a commoner. Her father's disapproval delayed the wedding by four years. At the ceremony, she thanked supporters and acknowledged the disruption her decision had caused, adding that marrying Kei was the only viable path forward.
The Japanese government offered 1.3 million dollars to royal women losing their status through marriage. Mako turned it down.
The pair settled in New York, where she took a role at the Met's curatorial department and Komuro works in law. Their first child arrived in May 2025.
The Danish Queen Who Said Enough
After 52 years as monarch, Margrethe II made way for her son Frederik X in January 2023. She was Denmark's first female heir to the throne. When she stepped down, eight in ten Danes approved of her.
Her announcement carried an unusually candid tone. She said the weight of the role had caught up with her and her body was "leaving its mark." She could no longer do what she'd once done.
Outside royal duties, Margrethe has maintained a creative life. Under the pen name Ingahild Grathmer, she illustrated Danish translations of The Lord of the Rings.
Emperor Akihito: Breaking Two Centuries of Silence
In April 2019, Akihito became the first Japanese emperor in over two hundred years to abdicate. The last one was Emperor Kōkaku in 1817. His dynasty stretches back more than 2,600 years.
Health problems had mounted. He'd had prostate cancer surgery in 2003 and heart surgery in 2012. Before leaving the throne, he performed the Shinetsu no Gi—a ritual at Ise Grand Shrine informing the gods of his departure.
A Real Scenario
Imagine you're a mid-level manager who finally got promoted to director. Everyone said you wanted it. Two years later, you're dreading Mondays. Then you read about Beatrix abdicating after 33 years. She had everything. She still walked. Maybe the thing everyone said you should want isn't actually yours to want.
Our Analysis: Why These Stories Land
These pieces perform well because they invert the fantasy. Royalty is supposed to be the endgame—the crown, the palace, the legacy. These stories show it can be a gilded cage.
The emotional core isn't mockery. It's recognition. Most readers have daydreamed about quitting something that looked right but felt wrong. When a princess rejects a million-dollar payout to live in a Manhattan apartment, it validates the impulse to choose differently.
This connects directly to what our readers want: a quick, satisfying read that confirms their instincts. They don't need context. They need the payoff—the moment someone prioritizes themselves over the script.
What to Watch Next
King Charles III is still on the throne. The British monarchy treats abdication as a near-taboo, but public attitudes are softening. If pressure from younger royals or shifting opinion creates momentum, we could see a first in generations.
Key takeaways
- These stories resonate because they expose the gap between appearance and reality
- Choosing yourself over duty takes courage regardless of your circumstances
- Former royals often find more personal freedom but less public relevance
- Watch whether modern monarchs face mounting pressure to follow these examples
Frequently asked questions
Who was Princess Mako's husband and what does he do?
Kei Komuro is a lawyer based in New York. Mako and Komuro married in 2021 after a four-year postponement caused by her father's opposition.
Why did Queen Margrethe II abdicate?
She said her age and health had caught up with her, making it impossible to fulfill her duties the way she once could.
How rare is abdication in Japan?
Extremely—Akihito was the first emperor to do it in over two hundred years. His line goes back more than 2,600 years.
What did Princess Mako do after losing her royal status?
She moved to New York, declined a government payment of 1.3 million dollars, and now works in the curatorial department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Did any royal who stepped down return to public duties?
Beatrix of the Netherlands still occasionally appears at state events, and Margrethe II continues her painting work following her abdication.
Inspired by reporting from: boredpanda.com