Spain’s self-exiled former king, Juan Carlos, has angered the country’s royal household with a video message released just as his highly awaited memoirs go on sale in the country. Juan Carlos (87), abdicated in 2014 and has been living abroad since 2020, due to a series of scandals. Juan Carlos took the throne days after Gen Franco’s death and was seen as instrumental in the introduction of parliamentary democracy, making him a highly popular figure. Despite his praise for the democratic transition, Juan Carlos seems to have recorded his video message, which is only 94 seconds long, primarily as a promotional tool for his memoirs. In the book, Juan Carlos acknowledges mistakes in his private life, including “slip-ups” regarding his relationship with his wife, Queen Sofía, and he speaks fondly at times of Gen Franco.

Source: The Irish Times December 03, 2025 01:38 UTC