Abdication

The act of removing oneself from political office. This term, usually associated with monarchies or the papacy, is derived from the Latin abdicatio, which means “disowning” or “renouncing.” Under Roman law, the term was also used for family disownment. Common reasons for abdication include unfitness for the throne, a political coup, or simply old age. In Great Britain, approval of both houses of parliament is necessary before an abdication can be effectuated. One of the most famous abdications in recent British history is that of King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom in 1936. King Edward VIII abdicated his throne to wed twice-divorced American Wallis Simpson, who was not considered suitable as queen. As part of the His Majesty's Declaration of Abdication Act (1936), any descendants of King Edward VIII were also ineligible for the throne.

The functional equivalent of an abdication in a democracy would be a resignation.