King Felipe VI of Spain and King Juan Carlos in 2018.Photo: Carlos R. Alvarez/WireImage
After nearly two years in self-imposed exile in Abu Dhabi, Spain’s formerKing Juan Carlos reunited with his familyin Spain on Monday.
During his 12-hour private visit to Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, the 84-year-old former monarch, who fled Spain amidallegations of tax fraud and money launderingin 2020, had a “long conversation” with his son, the current King Felipe VI, and had lunch with several royal family members, including his wife Queen Sofia, 83.
Spain’s royal palace said in a statement following Juan Carlos' departure, “His Majesty The King and Don Juan Carlos have had a long conversation about family issues as well as about different events and their consequences on Spanish society since the King’s father decided to move to Abu Dhabi on August 3, 2020.”
The visit marked the first time Juan Carlos has seen his family since he left Spain under a cloud of scandal. Juan Carlos, who was once revered for his role in Spain’s transition to democracy, abdicated in 2014 in favor of his son, who has since distanced himself from his father.
Spain’s former King Juan Carlos I waves as he arrives at the nautical club in the Galician town of Sanxenxo on May 20.BRAIS LORENZO/AFP via Getty
Later that afternoon, Juan Carlos embarked on his return trip to Abu Dhabi.
The royal palace referred to a letter Juan Carlos wrote his son in March upon his departure.
“As was made public, in his letter to S.M. the King of March 5, Don Juan Carlos primarily states his wish to establish his place of stable and permanent residence in Abu Dhabi for personal reasons; and secondly, his decision to organize his personal life and his place of residence in areas of a private nature, both during his visits and if he were to reside in Spain again in the future, in order to continue enjoying the greatest possible privacy,” the statement read.
Queen Sofia and King Juan Carlos in 2017.Carlos R. Alvarez/WireImage
Juan Carlos arrived in Spain last week andattended a sailing race in Sanxenxobefore traveling to Madrid for a brief visit with his family.
His brief return comes two months after Spain’s Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that it dropped three separate investigations into the former King’s financial affairs, citing insufficient evidence, the statute of limitations, and immunity he held while serving as head of state.
In making its announcement, the Spanish prosecutor stressed its decision did not mean absolution.
Juan Carlos on May 21.BRAIS LORENZO/AFP via Getty
“The public prosecutor wishes to make it clear that, despite the investigation, no criminal action can be taken against His Majesty Juan Carlos de Borbón for the reasons outlined in the decree – basically the lack of incriminating evidence, the statute of limitations, the inviolability of the head of state, and tax regularisation,” the Public Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement read, according toThe Guardian.
The former monarch’s visit wasn’t without controversy. Government spokeswoman Isabel Rodríguez said the ex-monarch “missed an opportunity” to “provide explanations and ask for forgiveness.”
Juan Carlos on May 19.BRAIS LORENZO/AFP via Getty
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“Without a doubt, he has lost the opportunity that Spanish society deserves, but also democracy. I think I should have taken advantage of this visit, this presence in our country, to account for those actions that we have known and are not compatible with the exemplary nature and transparency that is required of an institution such as the Casa del Rey,” said Rodriguez.
Juan Carlos' visit was far from discreet. He received extensive media coverage during his stay in the town of Pontevedra amid the regatta. There was also a demonstration of several hundred people in Madrid on Sunday protesting his visit.
source: people.com
