1: Queen Margrethe II - Denmark's monarch abdicates gracefully.

2: King Edward VIII - scandal and love lead to his historic decision.

3: Empress Elisabeth of Austria - Sisi's tragic abdication in 1953.

4: King Juan Carlos I - Spain's royal who stepped down in 2014.

5: King Albert II - Belgium's monarch abdicates in 2013.

6: King Juan Carlos I - Spain's royal who stepped down in 2014.

7: Farah Pahlavi - Iran's empress who abdicated with grace.

8: Beatrix of the Netherlands - Queen's abdication for son.

9: Benedict XVI - Pope's surprise resignation in 2013.