Royal watchers witnessed Prince
Harry publicly declare his love for his wife Meghan and their son Archie
before the Sussexes announced their decision to step back from royal
duties in order to become “financially independent”.
We take a look at some of the
most powerful gestures these and other royal lovebirds have made.
The
Duke and Duchess of Sussex
On 8 January 2020, Prince
Harry and Meghan announced their plans to step back as senior royals
and split their time between the UK and North America.
At the time, they released a
statement, which read: “After many months of reflection and internal
discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve
out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as
‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially
independent while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.”
Prince
Philip
Although Prince Philip was a
part of the British royal family, he actually had to renounce his claim to not
one but two thrones when he wed Princess Elizabeth in 1947. He was a prince in
both Greece and Denmark. After his marriage, Philip took his mother’s maiden
name – Mountbatten. For his sacrifice, the Queen gave him some titles such
as Baron Greenwich and Duke of Edinburgh.
King
Edward VIII
This former royal is perhaps
the most famous royal who abdicated their position for love. After less than a
year on the throne, Edward left London to marry Wallis Simpson.
“I have found it
impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my
duties as king as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman
I love,” he said in his official announcement.
Princess
Mako
Princess Mako of Japan is one
of the more recent royals to renounce their title for love. Back in 2017, she
declined her right to the throne in favour of marrying commoner Kei Komuro. The
declaration wasn’t necessarily her choice, though. Per Japanese royal law, a
female royal must renounce her title if her partner lacks an aristocratic
title.
In October 2021, it was
confirmed that Princess Mako had married her college sweetheart Kei, thus
losing her royal status. She also declined a payment offered to royal females
upon their departure from the family.
