However, Emperor Koko succeeded to the throne temporarily and he allowed all his children to be demoted to commoners; as he did not decide upon a successor before his death, Emperor Koko's child MINAMOTO no Sadami was hurriedly made Crown Prince as an emergency measure just prior to the emperor's death and he subsequently succeeded to the throne as Emperor Uda.
ただ、光孝はあくまで中継ぎとの立場をとり、自身の皇子を全て臣籍降下させていたが、死去直前になっても後継者を立てていなかったため、緊急措置として急遽、光孝の子の源定省が立太子され宇多天皇となった。