Susan,

Quite right. The heirs may claim rights; and the laws of inheritance will support them - or not. It is remotely like dieing without a will and dieing with a will. Abdication might be called 'becoming dead' without dieing. So the instrument of abdication has to be read with some care as it is like a will put into effect before death. Wills are subject to the restrictions of law applicable to stuff disposed of - generally.

You are very correct about the "next-in-line" having a strong claim. However, in the twisted, looping, and intertwined relationships of the royal houses of Europe, the person in that position might not be crystal clear.

I do not pretend by these comments to have any idea of the next in line after Ferdinand. I would simply point out that I think it would not be the "family" that had a claim; but rather one, two or perhaps more individuals with family connections. The more obscure the genealogy, the weaker the claim.

Regards, BaldJim