( CNN ) -- On Monday , King Juan Carlos , 76 , of Spain announced that he will soon abdicate the throne , passing the crown to his son Crown Prince Felipe , who is 46 . Explaining his decision to his Spanish subjects , Juan Carlos noted that his son will help `` open a new era of hope which combines the experience and momentum of a new generation . '' Last year , Queen Beatrix , 75 , of the Netherlands , abdicated the throne , also passing the crown to her eldest son . Explaining her decision to her Dutch subjects , she said , `` It was not because the office was too heavy for me , but because the responsibility for this country should lie in the hands of a new generation . '' For those wondering why Queen Elizabeth II , an octogenarian , has n't made a similar concession to youth , one has to realize that the modern British monarchy is founded on a different set of principles . As much as Britons might enjoy a change of pace at Windsor Castle , something faster and fresher , the monarchy in Britain is not about novelty . It 's about staying the course , resolve , and perseverance . Indeed in a culture similar to ours that places a premium on youth and beauty , the British monarchy stands out as one of those rare institutions where aging , with all of its complications and humiliations , is allowed to -- and expected to -- take place in full public view . Consider King George III , who reigned from 1760 until his death in 1820 at the age of 81 . Beginning in 1788 , the king suffered periodic bouts from what was likely porphyria , a metabolic disorder affecting the nervous system . By 1810 , he was permanently insane . Blind and infirm , George III spent the last 10 years of his reign doddering about in Windsor Castle . Admittedly , George 's son , the future George IV , served as regent for most of this difficult period . Queen Victoria , George III 's granddaughter , similarly reigned from 1837 until her death , also at the age of 81 , in 1901 -- despite suffering a host of ailments in later years , including failing eyesight , insomnia and rheumatism . Yet both monarchs were perhaps more popular in their oldest age than ever before . George III survived the loss of the American colonies and the scandals surrounding his alleged madness to win the intense loyalty of most of his subjects . Following his 1809 Golden Jubilee , a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of a monarch 's rule , the London Times proudly proclaimed that the event had been `` celebrated by all ranks of people in this great metropolis , in a manner worthy of an aged and venerable King , and a loyal and enlightened nation . '' And Queen Victoria overcame early skepticism about her capabilities -- and a dramatic curtailment in support during the 1860s , when she retreated from public view to mourn the death of her husband , Prince Albert -- to become the `` Great White Queen , '' and the `` Grandmother of Europe . '' At her 60th anniversary Diamond Jubilee in 1897 , Victoria was feted like no sovereign before her . She may have only been able to offer a feeble wave from her carriage as she passed by throngs of well-wishers on her way to St. Paul 's Cathedral , but her symbolic weight could not be overestimated . The current British monarch follows in her predecessors ' footsteps . When the young Elizabeth received word in February 1952 , while traveling abroad in Kenya , that her father George VI had passed away , she rushed home knowing that the title she had just inherited would be hers until death . `` By the sudden death of my dear father I am called to assume the duties and responsibilities of sovereignty , '' the 25-year old queen explained to her privy councilors back in London . `` My heart is too full for me to say more to you today than I shall always work , as my father did throughout his reign , to advance the happiness and prosperity of my peoples , spread as they are all the world over . '' When Elizabeth said `` I shall always work , '' she meant it . More than 60 years later , at the age of 88 , the Queen maintains an active schedule and is the patron of more than 600 charities and organizations . Add to this the fact that Elizabeth 's reign , like those of her predecessors , has only seemed to improve with age , at least if measured by public approval ratings -- shortly before the Queen 's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 , the market research company Ipsos MORI determined that support for the monarchy among adults in Britain is at an all-time high -- and there 's little reason to think that Elizabeth will leave her post anytime soon . Much as Prince Charles and Prince William may grow tired of waiting in the wings , a Platinum Jubilee could well take place in 2022 . The opinions in this commentary are solely those of Arianne Chernock .
King Juan Carlos , 76 , of Spain said he will abdicate the throne and pass the crown to his son . Queen Elizabeth shows no inclination to step down for Prince Charles or Prince William . Comment: Historically , British monarchs stay on their thrones until they die . Chernock : Monarchy is about perseverance ; princes might have a long wait .