When Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan announced their decision to step down from the royal family at the beginning of 2020, it was met with widespread shock across the globe. However, people may not realize that over the years, there have been several other royals who have also chosen to distance themselves from the royal family.Many times this decision comes as a result of a marriage that requires the relinquishment of a royal title. However, there have also been other reasons why members of the royal family have chosen to distance themselves. Click through the slides to find out about the royals from around the world who have stepped down!
*Princess Diana :
Princess Diana infamously divorced Prince Charles in 1996, which resulted in one of the Princess of Wales' titles being removed from her name. Diana could no longer be referred to as "Her Royal Highness" after her marriage to the Prince of Wales came to an end.
*Prince Philip
Prince Philip may be known as the Duke of Edinburgh today, but he was actually required to give up royal titles he held in other countries in order to gain this name! The royal was born into the Glücksborg royal family of Denmark and formerly known as Prince Philip of Greece and Dernmark. Upon marrying Queen Elizabeth II, he became a naturalized citizen of Great Britain and adopted the Mountbatten surname.
*Prince Andrew
Prince Andrew found himself embroiled in scandal after his connection to Jeffrey Epstein came to light, which put distance between him and the royal family. In November 2019, Buckingham Palace released a statement declaring that Andrew would "step back from royal duties for the foreseeable future," which is thought to be influenced by the investigation surrounding his involvement in the Epstein case. He is still considered part of the royal family, if only by title.
*Princess Märtha Louise
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway is only allowed to call herself "princess" within the context of conducting official royal business. In 2019, the Norwegian Royal Family expressed their objection when it came to Märtha's decision to advertise a tour with spiritual guide boyfriend Derek Verrett using the name "The Princess and the Shaman". The royal explained in a statement that "in collaboration with my family," she would revise her use of the title.
*Princess Ayako and Kei Moriya
Princess Ayako of Japan found herself having to give up her royal title when she chose to marry Kei Moriya in 2018. Because of Kei's status as a commoner, she left the Imperial House of Japan following their wedding and now goes by the name Ayako Moriya.
*Lady Patricia Ramsay
Lady Patricia Ramsay was once known as "Princess Pat," and made a decision that was considered pretty radical back in 1919! Queen Victoria's granddaughter is another royal who chose to marry for love instead of status, and she boldly declared that she would be giving up her royal title upon her marriage to Alexander Ramsay, an officer in the British navy.