He contented himself with a brief wave of his hand as a greeting to the journalists and the few onlookers present at the port of Sanxenxo, in Galicia, who were throwing “Viva España”. Then, helped by his crew mates, Juan Carlos climbed with difficulty, Thursday, April 20, aboard his monohull, the Bribon, and set sail without saying a word. At 85, the former King of Spain intends to train with a view to resuming sailing competitions, his great passion. And for now, he has kept the promise made in 2022 to his son, Felipe VI: to be discreet.
This is the second time that Juan Carlos has returned to Spain, since he went into exile in Abu Dhabi in August 2020, dogged by financial and sentimental scandals, elephant hunting parties in sweet company, and accounts in Switzerland enriched with tens of millions of dollars paid by Gulf monarchies. His first return was also to Sanxenxo, in May 2022, to go sailing. And he learned the lesson. This time, no reception to the cries of “Viva el Rey” at the Nautical Club belonging to his friend, Pedro Campos, with whom he is staying. Neither a car parade, all windows open, nor untimely declarations to the press, nor even a trophy presentation to his grandson, an amateur basketball player.
It is an understatement to say that the former architect of the “democratic transition”, which followed Franco’s death in 1975, fell from his pedestal. For many, it has become infrequent. At least in Spain. Juan Carlos traveled to Paris, where the Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa had invited him to attend his entrance ceremony at the French Academy on February 9. Received warmly, he was then invited to the private dinner organized at the Elysée Palace in honor of Mr. Vargas Llosa, by President Emmanuel Macron.
” Ask for forgiveness “
Now that all the judicial inquiries opened against him in Spain have been dismissed, due to their prescription or his immunity as Head of State, Juan Carlos wishes to increase the frequency of his trips to Spain and regain his life as a ‘Before. Is it possible ? The debate opposes those who believe that the king’s father does not deserve to end his life outside his country, and those for whom his mere presence remains a threat to the monarchy.
If the Socialists, in power, refused to express themselves on his ” private trip “, their coalition partner, Unidas Podemos (radical left) described the visit as ” shame “ for Spain. For the People’s Party (PP, right), it “is free, Spaniard, and can enter Spain whenever he wishes”. Same thinking among the liberals of Ciudadanos, even if the latter advise that it be “as discreet as possible” For “preserving the reputation of the Royal House”.
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