Abdication facts for kids

Abdication is when a leader decides to step down from their important job. This word is mostly used for kings, queens, or popes who choose to give up their powerful position. When they abdicate, their time as ruler, called a reign, comes to an end.

A similar word is resignation, which is used when an elected or appointed official, like a president or a prime minister, leaves their job.

A famous example of a king who abdicated is King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom.

Famous Abdications Through History

Sometimes, kings, queens, or popes decide to give up their thrones or positions. Here are a few examples of leaders who chose to abdicate:

• Pope Benedict IX, 1048: This pope actually abdicated more than once!
• Christina of Sweden, 1654: She was a very smart queen who gave up her crown to live in Rome and follow her beliefs.
• James II of England, 1688: He left his throne during a time of big changes in England.
• Napoleon I, Emperor of France, 1814 and 1815: Napoleon was a powerful military leader who abdicated twice after losing important battles.
• Pedro I of Brazil, 1831: He was the first emperor of Brazil and chose to give up his title.
• Edward VIII of the United Kingdom, 1936: He famously gave up his throne to marry the woman he loved.
• Pope Benedict XVI, 2013: He was the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign from his position.
• Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, 2013: She chose to step down and let her son become king.
• King Albert II of Belgium, 2013: He also decided to abdicate and pass the crown to his son.
• King Juan Carlos I of Spain, 2014: He abdicated in favor of his son, Prince Felipe.
• Emperor Akihito of Japan, 2019: He was the first Japanese emperor to abdicate in over 200 years.

Images for kids

• 

  Napoleon's first abdication, signed at the Palace of Fontainebleau 4 April 1814

• 

  Dom Pedro I, founder and emperor of the Empire of Brazil, delivers his abdication letter on 7 April 1831

• 

  Tomb effigy of heart of King John II Casimir Vasa at Abbaye de Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris, showing removal of the crown

• 

  Queen Christina of Sweden (daughter of Protestant champion Gustav II Adolph) shocked Europe by abdicating to move to Rome and serve the pope.

See also

In Spanish: Abdicación para niños