Spain’s former king plans return visit
Spain’s former king, Juan Carlos I, is planning to visit Spain again in June, the mayor of the northwestern town hosting the former monarch said Friday.
Juan Carlos returned to the country Thursday for his first visit since his abrupt departure nearly two years ago amid mounting financial scandals. Dozens of cheering supporters greeted the 84-year-old as he made his first public appearance on Friday in Sanxenxo, where his yacht is taking part in a three-day regatta.
The royal household said the former monarch would travel to Madrid on Monday to meet with his son, King Felipe VI, his wife, Sofia, and other family members before returning to his “permanent and stable residence” in Abu Dhabi.
On Friday, Sanxenxo Mayor Telmo Martin said Juan Carlos was already planning a second visit to to the town next month. “He confirmed to me that he is going to attend the Sailing World Championship, which starts June 10th and runs to the 18th,” he told reporters.
The former monarch’s return to Spanish soil this week — which came after Spanish and Swiss prosecutors shelved investigations involving Juan Carlos’ finances — sparked days of debate across Spain.
Spanish prosecutors didn’t find evidence to take the former monarch to court because much of the alleged misbehavior, involving millions of euros in undeclared accounts, happened when Juan Carlos had legal immunity as Spain’s king.
Other acts of potential fraud fell outside the statute of limitations.