European royalty - handing over the reins
Spain's Juan Carlos has abdicated to make way for his son, Felipe, just as Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands handed the reins to her son last year. Other heirs are waiting in the wings around Europe.
Mission accomplished
Dutch King Willem-Alexander (left) has already achieved what other heirs to the throne are still waiting for: the reins of their reign. His mother Beatrix (right) abdicated in April 2013, as her mother, Juliana, did in 1980 to make way for her.
A new start in Spain
Now it's up to Crown Prince Felipe. King Juan Carlos will no longer be head of state, perhaps in part to enable Spain's monarchy to reform. Juan Carlos' image was damaged significantly by an elephant hunting scandal in Botswana and several affairs. The 76-year-old's health is also declining.
Heir apparent
Albert II of Monaco has ruled the small principality since 2005. He was 47 when he succeeded his father, Rainier III, to lead the city-state of less than a square mile (two square kilometers) on France's eastern coast. Now that his wife Charlene is pregnant, succession seems secure. The baby is due at the end of the year.
Small but happy
Prince Guillaume has been on cloud nine since his marriage to Stephanie in 2012. But it's not clear when the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg will succeed his father Henri, who's headed the tiny state since 2000, after his own father, Jean, abdicated.
The unity king
True to Benelux tradition, monarchs tend to abdicate to make way for a new generation. Hence, Belgium's King Philippe did not have to wait for his father, Albert II, to die before taking over the reins. Albert II abdicated in 2013, and King Philippe's main task is to try to secure a united Belgium in politically turbulent times.
Swedish sunshine
Crown Princess Victoria has long been a favorite among her fellow Swedes, not just since marrying Daniel (left) and having her daughter, Estelle. The popularity of her father, King Carl XVI Gustaf, has been damaged by scandals, which is why many Swedes would prefer to see Victoria on the throne.
Danish fairy tale
Seen together, the family made up of Crown Prince Fredrik, his wife Mary and their four children is picture perfect. All that's missing is that crown. But although his 74-year-old mother, Margaret of Denmark, smokes heavily, she shows no signs of abdicating.
Modern Norway
In 2004, Prince Haakon temporarily took the reins when his father, King Harald, fell ill. But it's not clear when exactly the 42-year-old will take over for good. He and his wife Mette-Marit already represent a modern Norway, however: Mette-Marit already had a son, Marius, when she married Haakon.
The constant prince
Whether Prince Charles, the longest-serving Prince of Wales and oldest male heir in history, will ever be king, not even his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, really knows. Abdication is unlikely in the United Kingdom. Should Elizabeth II die, Charles would succeed her, but he could also abdicate in favor of his eldest son, Prince William, whom many Britons would prefer as the next king.
Chink in the royal armor
Although Europe's royal households exude the kind of glamor that many people love to hear and read about, there are constant protests against the monarchy. Many demonstrators, like those pictured here in Madrid, consider the concept dated and undemocratic.