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Many people fantasize about being royalty, envisioning immense wealth, a life of excess, and the opportunity to embark on global tours as part of state duties. But what happens when those born into this lavish existence choose to walk away? Or when their personal desires clash with the rigid traditions of the monarchy? This list highlights 10 of the most controversial occasions when royals have renounced their titles for the world to witness.
10. Princess Mako of Japan
In May 2017, it was revealed that Japan’s Princess Mako had become engaged to Kei Komuro, a man she met while attending the International Christian University in Tokyo. As Komuro is a commoner, their engagement required Mako to relinquish her royal status, as per the stipulations of Japanese imperial law.
With Japan’s Emperor Akihito suggesting that he may soon step down, Princess Mako's choice has ignited fierce discussions about the future of the Japanese royal succession. Although she wasn’t in line for the throne, her father holds the position of second in line.
Princess Mako has not disclosed her plans for life after her departure from the royal family, but she could certainly take a cue from her aunt, Sayako, the first Japanese royal to renounce her title and live as a commoner. Regardless, adjusting to life beyond the palace may prove to be a challenge.
9. Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark
Upon becoming a British citizen on February 28, 1947, Prince Philip gave up his rights to not just one throne, but two. Lucky for him, he had been born a prince of both Greece and Denmark.
Growing up, his parents were emotionally distant, and he spent much of his childhood in Scotland. As a result, when it came time to renounce his claim to both thrones, it was an easy decision in favor of becoming the husband to Princess Elizabeth, now the queen of the United Kingdom.
Unlike many other royals on this list, Prince Philip’s decision to renounce his titles has actually boosted his public standing. He became a key member of the world’s most renowned royal family and the father of Prince Charles, the heir apparent to the British throne.
At 96 years old, Prince Philip (also known as the Duke of Edinburgh) recently retired from his public duties, allowing him to finally take a well-deserved break from the spotlight.
8. King Carol II of Romania
King Carol II was often considered the wild child of the Romanian royal family. Throughout his life, he married two commoners, much to the dismay of his family. As a young man, his passionate affair with Zizi Lambrino led them to elope in 1918. Their ill-fated marriage was met with strong disapproval from his parents and was quickly annulled.
Carol’s troublemaking didn't end there. After an unhappy second marriage to Princess Helen of Greece (his second cousin), his affair with Magda Lupescu forced him to give up his royal status and go into exile in 1925.
In 1930, the prince returned to Romania to reclaim his throne, but by 1940, he had to renounce his title once again and retreat into exile. However, every cloud has its silver lining, and Carol finally wed his great love, Lupescu, in 1947.
7. Johan Friso of the Netherlands
Johan Friso was known for his romantic nature. He proposed to his future wife in a memorable way—arriving at her door in an all-white suit, champagne and roses in hand. He did so fully aware that their marriage would forfeit his claim to the throne of the Netherlands.
Johan first met Mabel Wisse Smit in Brussels, introduced by his younger brother. Though their relationship faced initial doubts and rumors regarding Smit’s past, the couple quickly earned the admiration of the Dutch public.
After marrying and relinquishing his royal title, Johan pursued a career in the finance sector. Despite stepping away from royalty, his great sense of humor and growing family helped maintain his popularity. Tragically, Johan passed away from injuries sustained in an avalanche while skiing in Austria in 2012.
6. Ubolratana Rajakanya of Thailand
While we might think that being a prince or princess would be a smooth journey, Ubolratana Rajakanya’s life has been far from easy. Like many others on this list, she gave up her royal title to marry the man she loved, Peter Ladd Jensen.
However, after having three children, the couple divorced in 1998, and the former princess returned to Thailand. In 2004, tragedy struck when the devastating tsunami that hit the country claimed the life of her autistic second son, Bhumi.
In memory of her son, Ubolratana established a foundation to assist children with autism and other learning challenges. She has also worked hard to move forward from the past, appearing in two Thai films and attending public events with her family.
5. Princess Srirasmi of Thailand
For Srirasmi, it was more of a case of stepping down before she was forced out. After being the royal consort and wife of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn for more than a decade, Srirasmi chose to relinquish her royal titles as scandals surrounded her and her family.
The prince ended his marriage to the former princess after members of her family were hit with serious criminal charges. Her uncle was arrested for extortion and oil smuggling, while her siblings faced charges of defaming the monarchy—a grave offense in Thailand.
Srirasmi chose to leave her son with her former husband, allowing him the chance to one day ascend to the throne of Thailand. Meanwhile, an official statement on her behalf mentioned her return to her hometown, west of Bangkok, where she intends to lead a quieter life. The fairy tale has ended for the former princess who once married into royalty, and she may now watch her son rule from afar.
4. Princess Cristina of Spain
Princess Cristina may not have willingly relinquished her royal title, but her actions left her brother, King Felipe VI of Spain, with no other option. It is reported that she had previously expressed a desire to give up her titles, but the tax fraud investigation involving her and her husband led to King Felipe calling her in 2015 to inform her that she was no longer a part of the royal family.
Cristina made history by becoming the first member of the Spanish royal family to face trial, a scandal that sent shockwaves throughout the monarchy. Although she was acquitted in February 2017, her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, was sentenced to six years and three months in prison.
Cristina was fined for her involvement in the business tax fraud scandal, and King Felipe distanced himself from her in an effort to restore the damaged image of the monarchy.
3. Edward VIII of Britain
The scandal surrounding King Edward VIII’s abdication is widely regarded as one of the most infamous instances of a royal renouncing their title. During the 1920s, while still a prince, Edward became involved in multiple scandals due to his affairs with several married women.
Things escalated in 1936 when Edward became king following his father's death. By that time, he had been having a relationship with Wallis Simpson, an American. In October of that year, she was granted her third divorce, which cleared the path for Edward to marry her.
Edward’s advisers strongly opposed the marriage. Given that he was the head of the Church of England, it was unthinkable that he could marry a divorced woman, which caused a great deal of controversy.
With no other options available, Edward chose to publicly abdicate on December 11, 1936. After delivering a speech to the nation, he departed for Europe the next day. His younger brother succeeded him as king, becoming George VI.
In 1937, Edward finally married Wallis, realizing his long-held wish. The couple lived in France until Edward's death from throat cancer in 1972. In the end, he was buried in the Royal Burial Ground at Windsor, where he was reunited with his family.
2. Princess Nori of Japan
When Princess Nori left Japan's Imperial Palace for the final time, she took only a table, a chest of drawers, and a one-off state payment to ease her transition into a more ordinary life. Her royal title was left behind as she passed through the palace gates. From then on, she became Mrs. Sayako Kuroda.
Sayako gave up her royal title and privileges to marry her childhood love, Yoshiki Kuroda. Now, she must adapt to life outside the palace, learning to drive, take public transportation, and shop like anyone else.
There are reports suggesting that Sayako may pursue a career as an ornithologist and that she is looking forward to a quiet life. Some sources even mention that she feels relief from leaving the Imperial Palace. The princess herself has shared that she often felt 'full of unease' as she grew up, realizing the demanding future that awaited her in the imperial family.
Her mother experienced a mental breakdown in the early 1990s, overwhelmed by the pressures of life in the palace. She suffered from extreme fatigue and distress, eventually losing her ability to speak. In hindsight, it seems that Sayako might have avoided a similar fate by leaving.
1. Lennart Bernadotte, Prince of Sweden
Lennart Bernadotte caused quite a stir in Sweden in 1932 when he married Karin Nissvandt, a commoner, against his parents' wishes and without royal approval. Although Lennart was a grandson of King Gustaf V of Sweden, Swedish law required him to renounce his claim to the throne to marry Karin. The couple had to travel all the way to London to get married.
Despite his parents' disapproval, Lennart went ahead with the marriage, though it left him deeply unhappy. To cheer him up, his parents gave him Mainau, a 111-acre island on Lake Constance in Central Europe, as a gift.
The generous gift had the desired effect, and Lennart dedicated the remainder of his life to Mainau and its horticulture. He transformed the island into a remarkable botanical garden, where 350,000 flowers bloom each summer. Lennart passed away in 2005, but his legacy endures in the stunning beauty of Mainau.
