We are often told that being a royal is the ultimate fairy tale — the crowns, the palaces, the never-ending staff. But for some, the happily ever after did not include the throne. It turns out that even when you are born into a life of extreme privilege, the heart wants what it wants, and sometimes the price of love is a literal kingdom. Here are the royals who decided that a partner was worth more than a title.
King Edward VIII (United Kingdom)
This is the original royal scandal. In 1936, Edward VIII dropped a bombshell: he wanted to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American woman. Back then, the Church and the government said absolutely not. Instead of dumping Wallis to keep his crown, Edward dumped the crown to keep Wallis. He abdicated the throne, handed the keys to his brother (the future King George VI), and spent the rest of his life in a sort of high-society exile. It was the ultimate all-or-nothing move.
Prince Harry (United Kingdom)
You would have to be living under a rock to miss this one. In 2020, Harry and Meghan Markle decided they had had enough of the goldfish bowl life. They stepped back from their roles as senior royals to move to California. While Harry is still a prince by birth, he lost his military titles, his royal funding, and the His Royal Highness (HRH) styling. It was a modern trade-off: he gave up the security of the firm for the freedom to speak his mind and protect his family.
Princess Mako (Japan)
In Japan, the rules for royal women are incredibly strict: if you marry a commoner, you are out. In 2021, Princess Mako married her college sweetheart, Kei Komuro. She did not just lose her title; she actually turned down a $1.3 million payout that was supposed to help her transition to civilian life. She and Kei moved to a one-bedroom apartment in New York City. It is hard to imagine a bigger leap than going from an Imperial Palace to navigating the NYC subway.
Prince Friso (Netherlands)
Prince Friso was second in line to the Dutch throne when he fell for Mabel Wisse Smit. The Dutch government refused to give their blessing for the marriage due to some controversy in Mabel's past. Friso did not blink. He went ahead with the wedding in 2004, knowing it meant he would be removed from the line of succession. He traded his official royal status for a private life in London, proving that even a prince can prioritize a person over a political position.
Princess Ubolratana (Thailand)
The Thai monarchy is one of the most revered and strict in the world. Yet, in 1972, Princess Ubolratana gave up her status to marry an American she met while studying at MIT. She lived as a private citizen in the U.S. for decades. While she eventually moved back to Thailand and is still very much a part of public life, she never officially regained her full royal titles. She is a great example of someone who managed to bridge both worlds — living for love first, then returning home on her own terms.
The One-Way Door of the Japanese Imperial Family
Japan deserves its own category because the sacrifice there is so final. Unlike some European royals who might keep a title or some funding, Japanese princesses like Sayako Kuroda (2005) and Princess Ayako (2018) had to walk away completely. The reality check: for these women, choosing a husband means legally ceasing to be a member of the family they were born into. They become Mrs. and have to learn how to do things most of us take for granted — like getting a passport or opening a bank account.
The Common Thread
When you look at these stories, a few patterns emerge. The gender gap: historically, royal women (especially in Asia) have had to sacrifice much more than men to marry for love. Privacy over prestige: almost every one of these royals cited privacy or independence as a major reason for leaving. The sacrifice is real: it is easy to say money does not matter, but walking away from a life where every need is met requires a serious amount of guts. If you were in their shoes, do you think you would be able to walk away from a throne for a person, or is the pull of the crown too strong?
