The most recent monarch to resign was King Edward VIII in 1936…

Britain’s monarch, King Charles, became the oldest person to take up the the throne in UK history when he ascended the throne in 2022 – but what would happen if he chose to resign, and would William be king if he announced his abdication?

After the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Charles became the reigning king.

At the time, he pledged the rest of his life to this duty and to the people. 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.”

Monarchs choose abdication for many reasons, from religious beliefs, pressure from the people or love – in King Charles’ case, a lot of these previous reasons don’t apply to him. We take a look at what would happen if he did.
King Charles was the oldest person to be the Prince of Wales (Credit: Tayfun Salci/ZUMA Press/Cover Images)

Did King Charles resign?

No, King Charles did not resign or release a statement declaring he is abdicating. Concerns over the king’s time on the throne arose after the royal announced he had been diagnosed with a form of cancer in 2024.

The monarch had announced that he was being admitted to hospital for a routine procedure in connection to an enlarged prostate. Weeks later, Buckingham Palace revealed the king had been diagnosed with a type of cancer. Although we do not know which form he has, the palace clarified it was not prostate cancer.

If ill health prevented a monarch from carrying out their duties, say if they were physically incapacitated due to their ailing condition, or could no longer speak or move, there are processes in place. This is known as the Regency Act, where his duties would be carried out by other members of The Firm.

Dr Bob Morris, told Business Insider: “He [William] takes over and has all the powers of the king, except some matters, which are reserved.”

Another reason previous monarchs have resigned is due to religious beliefs. The sovereign is the head of the Church of England. If they converted to another religion, they would need to abdicate. Royals who have converted in the past are excluded from the line of succession as well. This is because, by law, a the British monarch is required to be a member of the Church of England. It’s part of the Act of Settlement of 1701, which, along with the Bill of Rights, restricts Protestant descendants becoming king or queen. Therefore if King Charles converted to another religion, he would be forced to resign.

What would happen if King Charles resigns or announces his abdication?

If he chose to step down, the crown would be passed down to the next royal in the line of succession. In this case, that would be Prince William. His wife, Princess Kate would be known as queen consort.

Prince George would take the first place in the line of succession, meaning he is the heir to the British throne. He would likely also be named the new Prince of Wales. The title is designated for royals who are the eldest child of the monarch.

William was given the title the Prince of Wales when his father Charles ascended to the throne in September 2022. Charles had held the title for 64 years, after his mother gave it to him in 1958. He also became the oldest person to hold the position, due to Elizabeth II’s record-breaking 70-year reign.
Queen Camilla was crowned alongside her husband in 2023 (Credit: Cover Images)

What happens to Camilla if Charles abdicates?

If Charles left the throne, whether upon his death or he chose to resign as king, Camilla’s role would change.

She would keep the title as queen consort as this is because it’s not a title connected to a sovereign. Camilla is not the monarch but a wife of one. But her role as queen would be handed over to Princess Kate Middleton when Prince William took up the throne.

She may partake in fewer official duties as she does now, as well as state visits.

When Prince William ascends to the throne, Kate will be known as Queen Consort Catherine. However, this will likely be shortened to Queen Catherine or Queen Kate, much like Camilla. The Princess of Wales is not a regnant, and will not have a number after her name – like King Charles III.

The last monarch to leave the throne in Britain

Edward VIII ascended to the throne after the death of King George V, but he abdicated the throne in order to marry the love of his life Wallis Simpson. He was not permitted to marry her under the eyes of the Church of England as she was a divorcee. He was on the throne for less than a year – 326 days.

It was a reflection of the societal and religious values of the time, in the 1930s. King Charles was allowed to marry Queen Camilla and become the monarch as attitudes of the church and The Firm have evolved in the decades that followed after. Therefore, King Charles would not need to resign due to his love for Camilla, as the taboo subject of divorce is no longer an issue.

After Edward’s abdication, his brother Albert became the monarch and chose the name of King George VI. His eldest daughter Princess Elizabeth, was crowned Queen at the young age of 25 after he died. Edward became known as the Duke of Windsor, and he and Wallis moved overseas and lived there until their death.

Only four monarchs have resigned in British history, out of the 61 that have sat on the throne – making it less likely King Charles will announce an abdication.

Prince William is first in line to the British throne (Credit: Cover Images)

Reports King Charles’ considered abdication for Prince William

A royal expert claimed King Charles had plans to resign and to announce his abdication so that Prince William could be crowned the monarch.

The 76-year-old was said to be considering stepping down after a ‘difficult’ patch was over.

Clive Irving, who wrote The Last Queen, and is a royal columnist at The Daily Beast, claimed Charles was thinking about leaving the throne could take his place. Reports said he was waiting for the “incredibly difficult transition phase” for the monarchy to come to an end before he handed it over.

He told The Express: “It may have already been surreptitiously planned that the King will abdicate when he’s 80.

“He [Charles] wants to just have his moment in the limelight for a few years, make sure that William and Harry are carried through what’s going to be an incredibly difficult transitional phase for the monarchy.

“And then Camilla can retire to Balmoral and leave the show to William and Princess Kate. I suspect that’s what’s going to happen.”

However, these are just reports, and there has been no statement nor indication from Buckingham Palace that King Charles plans to resign or to announce his abdication.