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Spain

King Juan Carlos is in the United Arab Emirates

The former monarch of Spain, Juan Carlos I, has been living in the United Arab Emirates since he went into self imposed exile at the start of the month.

The Spanish Royal Household confirmed his new location when asked whether the King Emeritus was in the UAE. The spokesperson’s response was ”that is what King Juan Carlos has told us.”

The confirmation of his whereabouts comes two weeks after Juan Carlos announced he was leaving the country he ruled for almost forty years. The King Emeritus had already quit Spain by the time his statement was released on the evening of August 3rd 2020.

A photograph published in Spanish media several days later showed Juan Carlos walking off a plane after touchdown in the UAE but no official confirmation was made about his location.

The former monarch, who ruled Spain between 1975 and 2014, left the country amid ongoing allegations of financial corruption. Before his departure, Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, described the claims as ”disturbing”.

King Felipe VI, Juan Carlos’ son and successor, renounced all financial inheritances from his father earlier this year and cut his allowances.

King Felipe, Queen Letizia and their two daughters are currently in Mallorca. The Spanish King and Queen are due to make a public appearance in Ibiza this week.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.