If King Charles III Stepped Down

If King Charles III Stepped Down

Here's what would happen if King Charles III stepped down and handed the throne to Prince William

Maria Noyen   Sat, September 24, 2022

King Charles III has not indicated that he ever plans to renounce the throne. Given his age and historically low popularity in the UK, however, it remains a possibility.

Insider spoke with a royal historian about what would happen if Charles stepped down as king.

The UK is mourning the loss of a queen that reigned for 70 years while also welcoming a king that spent the same amount of time preparing to replace her.

From the outside, the reign of King Charles III appears to have gotten off to a shockingly good start. In his first speech, he made his intention to follow in his mother's footsteps crystal clear.

"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," he said.

Charles, now aged 73, is the oldest person to become king in British history. In the years before Queen Elizabeth II died, speculation mounted that she may have been contemplating stepping down and handing the throne to Charles.

That said, the decades Charles spent as a prince saw his popularity among the public nearly decimated, especially following his divorce from Princess Diana in 1996. As recent as 2021, it led to a desire among the British public for Prince William to succeed Queen Elizabeth II instead of his father, according to a poll on behalf of Newsweek.

Insider spoke to royal experts about what would happen in the event Charles stepped down and what it would mean for the monarchy's future.

Charles couldn't simply step away from the throne

There are two scenarios in which Charles is alive but no longer king, royal historian Marlene Koenig told Insider.

The first comes under the Regency Act, Koenig said, which could be triggered if Charles was physically incapacitated, meaning he could no longer speak or move. Dr. Bob Morris, an honorary senior research associate at UCL's Constitution Unit, told Insider the monarch's inability to carry out their duties would also have to be certified by various people including their spouse.

If that occurred, the next in line – Prince William – would become regent. "He takes over and has all the powers of the king, except some matters, which are reserved," Morris said.

However, there is another, more controversial scenario — abdication. Koenig said it's highly unlikely to ever occur given Charles' intention to follow in his mother's footsteps.

In any case, abdication is a complex process. Charles couldn't simply decide to abdicate by himself. To make it official, he would first need UK Parliament to pass an Act of Abdication, Koenig said.

"He can't just say, 'OK, here it's yours, William.' Nope. The succession to the throne is legislated by parliament," she added.

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