The Process of Abdication Isn’t Easy for Charles

The act of renouncing the throne is a multifaceted process. Per University College London’s Constitution Unit website, the transfer of the crown to Prince William can occur only if Prince Charles willingly relinquished it.

This would necessitate legislation, as seen in the Declaration of Abdication Act of 1936. Parliament oversees the succession line, regulated by both the Act of Succession 1700 and the Succession to the Crown Act 2013. The current monarch cannot make unilateral changes to this line; only parliament holds that power.

Next: Why do bloodlines even matter? How does the transfer of power take place?