King Charles III and his wife Camilla wave as they leave The London Clinic where many royals are treated (Picture: Alberto Pezzali/AP)
News of King Charles’ health concerns has reawakened the question of what would happen if he abdicated the throne.
Charles has only been head of state since September 8, 2022, after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth.
The King, 75, is determined to make it to his second birthday on the throne, but his health is under close attention since he was diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer in February.
If Charles stepped down, the British crown would pass to the next Royal in the line of succession – Prince William, with Kate as his queen consort.
But such a transition of power is rare.
The line of succession within the Royal Family following the birth of Princess Eugenie’s son, Earnest (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
The last monarch to abdicate was Edward VIII in 1936.
He drew back from his royal duties to marry Wallis Simpson, an American actor and – crucially – a divorcee.
Marrying a divorced person was considered taboo among the British monarchy for hundreds of years.
The abdication process was also seen on New Year’s Eve in Demark when Queen Margrethe II stepped down, citing recent back surgery and said that time had ‘taken its toll’.
Her eldest son succeeded her as King Frederik X two weeks later.
Back in the UK, if Charles was to take a similar approach, William would become King.
Prince George would take the next place in the line of succession as the new Prince of Wales.
Prince William is currently next in the line of succession (Picture: Jordan Pettitt – Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Andrew and Prince Harry remain in the royal rankings despite controversies surrounding them.
When Elizabeth II died in September 2022, all those below Charles moved up one place in the line of succession, with William, the new Prince of Wales, now the heir to the throne.
Dr Bob Morris, an honorary senior research associate at UCL’s Constitution Unit, previously explained that the Regency Act could also come into play when ill health prevented the monarch from carrying out their duties.
It would be triggered if the King became physically incapacitated due to illness, meaning he could no longer speak or move.
In such an event, his duties would be carried out by various members of the Royal Family.
Dr Morris told Insider: ‘He [William] takes over and has all the powers of the king, except some matters, which are reserved.’
Charles has postponed public engagements while undergoing cancer treatment (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Charles became the oldest person to become king in British history when he took to the throne.
Addressing the nation following the death of his mother, he said: ‘As the Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation.’
The King’s cancer was discovered during a surgery for benign prostate enlargement, the palace said.
A spokesperson has declined to confirm the type of cancer.
The monarch has started a schedule of treatments for his condition and he also stepped back from public duties for a period.
Baby Earnest pushed Edward and Anne further back in line for the crown(Picture: Metro.co.uk)
Buckingham Palace said in the announcement: ‘His Majesty has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.
‘Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.
‘The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure.
‘His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.’
Harry rushed to the UK to visit his father just a day after the news.
He flew from California to London overnight, while Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex stayed at home with their two children, Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two.
Why do monarchs abdicate?
Edward VIII, Duke of Windsor, and his wife Wallis Simpson at the Chateau de Cands in France in 1937 (Picture: Bettmann Archive)
Kings and Queens abdicate for several reasons – including love, political pressure, or religious beliefs.
In British history, only four monarchs have abdicated: Edward VIII, Richard II, Mary Queen of Scots, and James VII of Scotland (who was also James II of England).
Queen Elizabeth II’s uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson.
The twice-divorced American socialite was reportedly considered by the Royal Family ‘unfit’ to one day be Queen, and so the King felt he had no choice but to abdicate if he wanted to marry her.
He had only been on the throne for 325 days when he signed his abdication.
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