UPDATE: Portuguese TV is reporting that the former king is in Cascais in Estoril, Portugal, where he spent his childhood. This is not confirmed, however.
His late father, Don Juan, Count of Barcelona, was already living in Villa Geralda, when he married in 1935 to Princess Maria de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two-Sicilies. The Villa, which was named for Alfonso XIII's yacht, was purchased by the Count in 1979. He had purchased the property from María del Carmen Mendes de Almeida de Figueiredo for 2.1 escudos (90,000 Euros). The Count sold the property in 1990 to German businessman Klaus Saafeld.
Earlier today, the Spanish court confirmed to CNN that Juan Carlos had left the country. A Palace spokesman did not say where the former king has gone.
It is understood that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has played a major role in the decision to have Juan Carlos, 82, not only leave his official residence at Zarzuela Palace but also out of Spain. Prime Minister Sanchez and King Felipe VI were in agreement.
The Spanish newspaper is reporting that the former King left last Sunday after several months of pressure from Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias to leave his home at Zarzuela Palace.
The former king's wife, Queen Sofia, will remain in Spain and continue to have an official role.
In 2008, King Juan Carlos received a donation of 65 million Euros from the King of Saudi Arabia, which he gave to his former mistress Corina Larsen. He is alleged to have foreign bank accounts that he has never reported to the Treasury.
Earlier in the day, the 82-year-old king's lawyer, Javier Sanchez-Junco, told CNN that the former king's departure was "imminent." A few hours later, the Royal Household acknowledged that the former king "has left already."
“Your majesty, dear Felipe, with the same zeal to serve Spain that inspired by my reign and faced with the public impact that certain past actions of my private life is causing, I wish to show you my absolute willingness to contribute to helping the exercise of your functions from the peace and tranquility required of your high level of responsibility. My legacy, and my own dignity as a person, demands it.
“A year ago, I told you of my willingness and desire to stand down from my institutional activities. Now, guided by the conviction to provide the best service to Spaniards, its institutions, and to you as King, I am informing you of my well-considered decision to move away from Spain.
“It is a decision I take, with deep feeling but great calm. I was king of Spain for 40 years and during all those years I have always wanted the best for Spain and the Crown.
“With my loyalty always.
“With great affection, your father.”
Felipe accepted the decision with "his heartfelt respect and gratitude for his decision."
The announcement does not say where King Juan Carlos when the king will leave Spain, where he will live or if he will be accompanied by Queen Sofia.
Juan Carlos was born in exile in Rome, Italy, on January 5, 1938, the eldest son of HRH Infante Don Juan of Spain, Count of Barcelona and HRH Princess Maria de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. In 1947, the Spanish monarchy was affirmed with Generalissimo Francisco Franco, Spain's dictator, deciding who would be his successor -- and king. An agreement with the Count of Barcelona, third son of King Alfonso XIII, who was forced to flee Spain in 1931, which led to the establishment of a Republic. The Spanish Civil War led to Franco's victory.
The Count of Barcelona was the rightful heir, but due to an agreement with Franco, the young Juan Carlos was groomed to be the future King. In 1962, he married Princess Sophie of Greece and Denmark.
Franco died on November 20, 1975. Juan Carlos was proclaimed King two days later.
Growing criticism about an elephant safari trip led to the King's abdication on June 19, 2014i n favor of his son, Felipe, then the Prince of Asturias, who succeeded as King Felipe VI.
The Botswana safari trip has led to further embarrassment for the former king, including statements from a mistress, Corinna Prinzessin zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn regarding improper financial transactions and secret bank accounts.
It's so incredibly sad that the Juanito's past actions continue to undermine the Spanish monarchy, which he did so much build.
ReplyDeleteArrogance, certainly but also so self destructive. Consciously or unconsciously?
And for a man whose such experience as an adulterer he can't seem to pick discreet companions.
what is the reason he must exile? is he not allowed to live other places? I truly do not understand the rise and fall of the Spanish monarchy, is there somewhere I can go to read a quick recap? Maybe wikipedia....
ReplyDeleteBridget, rather can visit Wikipedia (as anyone can write an entry), why don't you click on the links in my article or go to google news and type King Juan Carlos or look at any major newspaper ... plenty of coverage of the scandal.
ReplyDeleteI think it's incredibly sad that the person responsible for modern Spain should have to end his life as he began it, in exile. Spain owes a lot to the former King, but he has sabotaged his legacy due to his own folly. It is very sad indeed. I hope the sins of the father are not visited on the son.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Carlos had a choice: go into exile or face possible prosecution, which would be the last thing the royal family needs after the son-in-law's alleged shenanigans.
ReplyDeleteAs there is material enough to face a jail sentence, the media speculate that he is in the Dominican Republic because it would be extraordinarily difficult to obtain an extradiction from that country, instead of Portugal, for instance.
ReplyDelete