Spanish King Juan Carlos says he stepped down, so his son wouldn’t have to endure a Prince Charles-like wait for the throne.
The king announced his abdication last week, paving the way for Prince Felipe, 46, to become King Felipe VI, perhaps as soon as June 18.
Juan Carlos, who has been king for nearly 40 years, said he doesn’t need to have a marathon reign like Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.
“I do not want my son to wither waiting like Prince Charles,” he told Rafael Spottorno, chief of the royal household, according to a report in Spain’s daily newspaper El Mundo.
The 65-year-old Prince Charles is the oldest heir to the British Monarchy in 300 years.
Charles’ mom, Queen Elizabeth II, has sat on the throne since 1952. She remains active and in good health at age 88.
The prince is probably safe from the legacy of Sophia of Hanover, who was 88 when she died in 1714 as the heir to Queen Anne.