Disgraced King Juan Carlos in Madrid for just seven hours on occasion of Princess Leonor’s 18th birthday and swearing In

The much-discredited former King of Spain is kept at a distance during ceremonies and celebrations to avoid tainting Princess Leonor’s moment in the limelight
Former King of Spain Juan Carlos and Sofia of Spain attend a ceremony to celebrate Juan Carlos's 80th birthday 2018

Former King of Spain, Juan Carlos, and Sofia of Spain attend a ceremony to celebrate Juan Carlos's 80th birthday, 2018

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Still mired in disrepute, King Juan Carlos, the former King of Spain appeared last night at his granddaughter, Princess Leonor’s, 18th birthday party. Juan Carlos returned to Madrid from Dubai to attend the celebrations – but was not invited to the historic oath-taking ceremony earlier in the day. Clearly, there was an interest in keeping him at arm’s length from the occasion. On Tuesday, as she turned 18, Leonor was involved in a solemn ceremony at the Spanish Parliament, in which she took an oath swearing allegiance to the Spanish constitution and the Spanish people.

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Former King Juan Carlos arriving in Madrid

Former King Juan Carlos arriving in Madrid

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Reaching the age of maturity and taking this oath now means that she can officially act as regent in the event that her father, King Felipe, is incapacitated or steps down. It will not surprise onlookers that the former King, now 85, along with his wife, Queen Sofia, also 85, were excluded from the ceremony. The vast spectrum of controversies he has attracted may well have unduly clouded the integrity of Leonor’s swearing to be faithful to Spain’s constitution.

It truly was a flying visit – with Spanish media reporting that Juan Carlos, who now lives in the UAE, was in Madrid for just seven hours. This must surely mean that his presence was seen as a necessary politeness, but was also perceived seen to be disruptive and to be minimised.

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In previous years, Carlos was considered one of Spain’s most respected public figures, particularly as he helped the country return to democratic government after the death of Francisco Franco in 1975. However, the later years of his reign were blighted by a string of ugly scandals. He became embroiled in a court battle with an ex-lover (one of many), who accused him of mentally torturing her by spying and harassment.

The former King greeting his exlover Corinna Zu SaynWittgensteinSayn in 2006

The former King greeting his ex-lover Corinna Zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn in 2006

dpa picture alliance / Alamy Stock Photo

His libidinous living was a constant source of upset for the Spanish royal family. He was also involved in a money-laundering scandal in the early 2020s, leaving behind an ugly hush money trail involving Bahrainian royalty and Swiss bank accounts. This affair utterly rocked the foundations of the Spanish royal family, though it should be noted that a number of the allegations have now been dropped.

Juan Carlos remains married to his wife Queen Sofia, in spite of uncountable extramarital affairs. The former Queen was spotted broken down in tears earlier this week, during a different royal engagement in Madrid, as rumours abounded as to whether the grandparents would attend Princess Leonor’s historic swearing in.

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Princess Leonor as she takes the oath to abide by the Spanish constitution.

Princess Leonor as she takes the oath to abide by the Spanish constitution.

As for Leonor, when she ascends the throne, she will become Spain’s first Queen Regent for 150 years. Her reputation continues to go from strength to strength. She is clearly viewed as a pioneer of renewal for the Spanish monarchy, as it continues to distance itself from the disrepute bred by King Juan Carlos. The swearing in ceremony proceeded accordingly, and was a definite success – to which the crowds in the streets of the capital and the profusion of Spanish flags were an obvious testament (dubbed ‘Leonormania’ by the media).

During the ceremony Leonor looked confident and regal – though also aware of the solemnity of the event – as she was affectionately watched by her parents King Felipe and Queen Letizia.

Portrait of Juan Carlos and his wife Sophia in New York 1962

Portrait of Juan Carlos and his wife Sophia in New York, 1962

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