15 Royals Who Gave Up The Throne For Love
Crowns and castles may sound like a dream, but some royals found something they wanted even more — love. Across history, kings and queens, princes and princesses have shocked their countries by walking away from power, all because their hearts told them to.
Some gave up thrones they were born to rule, others turned away titles before they ever wore them. But each of them made the same choice: love first, duty second.
Here are 15 royals who gave up the throne for love, proving that not even royal blood can stop the heart from choosing its own path.
Edward VIII of the United Kingdom
He was the king who couldn’t keep both the crown and the woman he loved. Edward VIII fell deeply for American divorcée Wallis Simpson, and his country wouldn’t accept her as queen.
Faced with that choice, he gave up the British throne in 1936, stunning the world. He called it the only thing he could do for happiness. After that, he lived out his life in exile — never king again, but always with Wallis.
Princess Mako of Japan
She gave up her royal status not for riches or fame, but for love with a commoner. Princess Mako chose to marry Kei Komuro, a man without a title or fortune. Japan’s imperial rules meant her marriage cost her not just her title, but also her life as a royal.
Still, she went ahead and moved to the U.S. with him. The decision sparked debate at home, but she made it clear — she wanted a normal life with someone she loved.
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Prince Friso of the Netherlands
He wasn’t first in line, but Prince Friso still had royal responsibilities. When he chose to marry Mabel Wisse Smit in 2004, his decision came with a price. Because of issues with her past that the government wasn’t told about, his marriage was not approved.
He married her anyway, which meant giving up his place in the royal family. He walked away from his official title to be with her, without blinking.
King Carol II of Romania
Long before Edward VIII stepped down, King Carol II did something similar. In the 1920s, he gave up his right to the Romanian throne to be with Magda Lupescu, a woman the country’s elite didn’t accept.
Although he later came back to rule for a while, it was clear where his heart was. His love life always came before royal rules. Even after being forced out again, he stayed with Magda until his death.
Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark
Before he became Prince Philip of the United Kingdom, he had his own royal titles. But to marry Princess Elizabeth, he gave up both his Greek and Danish royal status.
He even took on British citizenship and changed his last name. It wasn’t just a paperwork thing — it was a full reset of his life. That sacrifice became part of his long partnership with Queen Elizabeth II.
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Archduchess Stephanie of Austria
As the daughter of Emperor Franz Joseph I, she was born into one of Europe’s most powerful families. But her marriage to Crown Prince Rudolf ended in tragedy, and her royal life slowly fell apart.
Eventually, she married Count Elemér Lónyay, a Hungarian nobleman without royal standing. Because of that, she was cut off from the Habsburg family. She chose love over position and lived quietly, away from court life.
Princess Ubolratana of Thailand
She gave up everything for love — her title, royal status, and life in Thailand. In the 1970s, Princess Ubolratana married an American man, leaving behind the only world she had ever known.
Her father, the king, couldn’t allow her to stay royal while married to a foreigner. Although the marriage later ended, she never regained her title. It was a bold, emotional choice, and it shaped the rest of her life.
King Sigismund III of Poland and Sweden
Back in the 1500s, he was king of two countries — Poland and Sweden. But tensions rose when he refused to give up his Catholic faith, and that created problems in Protestant Sweden.
He eventually lost the Swedish crown, partly because he stayed loyal to his faith and his Catholic wife. Love, religion, and politics all mixed together, and he chose personal values over power.
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Princess Sayako of Japan
Just like her niece Princess Mako, Sayako chose love over the crown. She married Yoshiki Kuroda, a government worker with no royal ties.
Under Japanese law, that meant she had to leave the Imperial Household. She became a regular citizen and even took driving lessons and grocery shopping on her own. For someone born into strict royal traditions, her choice was quietly powerful.
King Farouk of Egypt
His rule was filled with scandal, but his love life caused just as many headlines. After being overthrown in 1952, Farouk went into exile — and found himself constantly chasing love.
He married more than once, often choosing romance over reputation. Even when advisors warned him, he ignored them. Though he technically didn’t abdicate for love, it became the center of his post-king life.
Prince Amedeo of Belgium
He was in line to the Belgian throne, but his heart led him somewhere else. When Prince Amedeo married Elisabetta Rosboch von Wolkenstein in 2014, he forgot to ask for royal permission. That meant losing his spot in the succession line.
Later, the king fixed the situation, but the message was clear — he wasn’t waiting for approval to marry the woman he loved. The heart led the way, rules followed after.
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Duke Carl of Württemberg
His love story may not be as famous, but it’s just as meaningful. Carl, heir to a historic German duchy, fell in love with a commoner named Diane.
Their marriage wasn’t blocked, but it did shake tradition. By choosing her, he helped soften old rules about marrying within royal circles. Though the family held onto its titles, it was clear that Carl valued love over lineage.
Infanta Cristina of Spain
She didn’t give up her title officially, but her marriage changed her royal life forever. When Cristina married Iñaki Urdangarin, their life started out fairytale-like.
But as legal troubles grew around her husband, she was gradually removed from public royal duties. The palace quietly stepped back, and she chose to stick by her partner.
Eventually, she was rarely seen as part of royal life, living more privately than ever.
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway
She made headlines by announcing she would no longer represent the Norwegian Royal House officially. Her relationship with Durek Verrett, a controversial spiritual healer, drew public criticism.
But she stayed firm in her choice. She stepped back from official duties to protect both her relationship and her family’s image.
Though she still has her title, her choice showed where her loyalty lies.
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Leopold III of Belgium
His love story stirred political chaos. After losing his first wife, Queen Astrid, Leopold fell for Lilian Baels.
He married her in secret during World War II, which angered both the public and political leaders. When he returned after the war, people didn’t accept the new queen.
That love-driven decision partly led to his forced abdication in 1951. He may have kept his queen, but he lost his crown.
From Thrones to Heartbeats
History remembers great leaders, but it also remembers bold choices. For these royals, giving up titles, crowns, or royal duties wasn’t a loss — it was a gain of something they felt was more important.
Each of their stories reminds us that sometimes, tradition isn’t enough to stop a determined heart. Even when raised in palaces and groomed to rule, these royals followed love wherever it led.
And that choice, whether praised or criticized, shaped their legacy more than any crown ever could.
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